Publishing | Writing | Author Spotlight | Features | Podcasts | Links | #BIPOC

Heyla!


There are so many good things on the horizon, mostly because I've been incredibly productive for the past month. Things that have kept me busy: writing like a fiend, finishing Elemental Attraction, editing, working on less active WIPs, starting new stories, and trying my best to help out my fellow authors at Flashpoint Publications as the new Social Media Manager.

Yes, I'm super bummed that the Golden Crown Literary Society Orlando conference was cancelled this year. (thanks for asking) But I am hoping we get something special with so many months to plan the virtual fest. You'll just have to imagine my hugs and fist bumps until next year. We'll be back, friends...stronger than ever!

Newest news
I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in the inaugural GCLS Virtual Series event: 2 Truths and 1 Lie. It was 2 hours long and we raise a nice amount of money for GCLS. The video was recently uploaded to YouTube. Click on the image below to watch. Many laughs were had by all!

  
      
GCLS Member Spotlight
I had the privilege and honor to be asked if I wanted to be the March feature for the GCLS Member Spotlight. Of course I said yes! I wanted to do something a little different for this blog post so rather than the usual "this is all about my writing" I decided to give folks a little glimpse inside my pre-novel writing brain. I hope you enjoy. Side note, this isn't active until March 15 (Ides of March, anyone?) so until then, check out all the other wonderful peeps they've featured.


Author Spotlight
Hey everyone, put your hands together for-uh, never mind. You're all in front of your screens right now and that's super weird. Instead, let's just take a peek at the Author Astronaut of the Month for March, S.W. Andersen. From old west gunslingers to a love that transcends time and space, S.W. Andersen offers a variety of sapphic romantic adventures where love knows no bounds, including the bestselling romances, Love By Design and Switchback. 

Having been raised by her mother, a strong female character in her own right, she has always been attracted to stories that depicted independent, determined, capable women. A romantic at heart, her characters are rooted in hope and perseverance. When she isn't working or writing, she enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her wife and best friend of twenty-three years, Dianna. They share their ten acres in rural Florida with a rambunctious crew of dogs, cats, and horses.


Awards
Currently Entered:
Children of the Stars - Goldie Awards
Remember Me, Synthetica - Bisexual Book Awards, Otherwise Awards, Goldie Awards, Lambda Literary, Ippy, & Lesfic Bard Awards
The Lost Temple of Psiere - Goldie Awards, Lambda Literary

Features
GCLS Virtual Series event: 2 Truths and 1 Lie
Lynn Lawler's Book Blog: Meet Author Kelly Aten-Keilen
 All Stars Lesfic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club video interview - Remember Me, Synthetica
12 WLW & Lesbian Phone or Online Romance Novels - Rules of the Road
Eight Great Angsty Lesbian Romance Books - Burn It Down

Writing Updates:

• I HAVE BEEN WRITING! Yeah, like a fiend, as I said earlier. Elemental Attraction is complete at 124,000 words. That's just a few thousand behind Children of the Stars, and a few thousand ahead of The Lost Temple of Psiere. So...a nice, long one. And friends, it is FUNNY. For real. My goal with this novel is for at least one person, reviewer, or whatever writing the words "Uproariously funny" when they describe it. I can hope, right? I still have Elemental Attraction: Chapter One posted on my website, so you can always see for yourself. Keep in mind, NONE of my story samples and WIP bits are edited other than by me, the worst editor in the world.
• I've also posted a sample from Whispers in the Dark: Chapter One.
• There is even a sample from Chosen of Artemis: Chapter One. (I told you I've been busy!)
• And last, but certainly not least, I've begun serious work (plotting and writing) on The Rebels of Psiere, book 3 in the Mystery of the Makers series. This one will be the next book I finish, hopefully later this year. Keep your fingers crossed that this burst of good progress and better work/life balance holds out, yeah? And no, I'm not giving you a sample of this one just yet, you'll just have to wait.

⬇️NEWLY REVAMPED BLURB⬇️

Publishing Updates:
 

• My novel, Elemental Attraction is currently with a beta reader and was officially sent to my publisher today. I don't really know, since I'm writing this days ahead of time. but you know, planning and all says it will be so! After all, I made a promise. 😉
• I'm currently awaiting the cover for my next novel, Elemental Attraction. Are you as excited as I am? Doubtful! 
• Do you need reading material but don't have a big budget right now? Don't forget, all my short stories, as well as my short and long fan fiction can be found FREE on AO3.

Podcasts & Panels
 

Now for my links:

Supercorp First Kisses Collection - 9 works, 51500 words
Adventures of an Awkward Scientere - 2 works, 23000 words
Amazon Author Page 
Goodreads Author Page 
Flashpoint Publications Author Page
The Lesbian Review: Reviewer Profile - I don't review any more but you can see my favorite books when I did.
 

As always, thank you for your continued support, because a voice is nothing without people to hear. Read, rate, and review. I'm always glad to answer emails and love to see feedback. Drop me a line for all questions, comments, and criticisms. I genuinely want to get better and I'm open to all. Thank you, my friends!

killerwit68@gmail.com

~Kelly

K. Aten
Author and Social Media Manager at Flashpoint Publications
WEBSITE   ~   AMAZON   ~   GOODREADS
"Some words end the silence, others begin it."
  
 

[START AUTHOR TRANSMISSION]


Name: S.W. Andersen
Publisher: S.W. Andersen Books
Reason you started writing: It started as a one-shot fanfic for an idea I couldn’t let go of, then evolved into a wonderful escape and a fun challenge.
Next book to release & when: Just released book 3 in the Sarah Sawyer Series, A Call To Justice
Why we should read it: If you’ve followed the series, you’ll see Sarah and Jo’s growth as they seek out a new kind of justice. And of course more dry, cowgirl wit. If you read this as a stand alone, you get strong, kick-ass women, love, friendship, and all kinds of Old West excitement. K. Aten notes: I LOVE strong, kick-ass women!
Genres that you've written: Contemporary romance, paranormal romance, western, sports romance.
List of published books:

• Somewhere Between Love and Justice: The Journey of Sarah Sawyer
• The Price of Payback
• Love By Design
• Switchback
• This Time
• The Love Doctor
• A Call To Justice

Name something you're proud of in regards to your writing: My growth, especially in the area of descriptions because I’m very much a bullet point person in real life, but all aspects really. I have many people and resources to thank for that and I know growth never ends, but I’m proud that I used to grumble over writing anything more than two pages and now I’ve published seven books and look forward to writing as often as possible. 
Click HERE to see all of S.W.'s books on Amazon.US.


Cats or Dogs: I have both, but I’m a cat person. 🐈
Coffee/Tea/Water: Water. K. Aten notes: Totally down with this...new favorite person!
Weapon of choice during Zombie Apocalypse: I’m thinking Michonne’s sword. K. Aten notes: *furiously Googling "Michonne's sword*
Hobbies: Mountain biking, travel, chocolate, whiskey, Florida Gator sports. 🐊
Do you fanfic? If so, favorite ship: I do. Doccubus all the way, though I am enjoying some SuperCorp. K. Aten notes: Supercorp IS the way to my heart. *sigh* 🥰


Website: swandersenwrites.com
Facebook: swandersenwriter
Twitter: @SW_Andersen
​
A Call To Justice by S.W. Andersen
​
      Gunslinger Sarah Sawyer has overcome her demons, vengeance-seeking relatives, and a loner streak as wide as the horizon to settle down out west with her partner, Jo.
      But peace seems too much to ask for with the influx of new settlers, illness, and brazen thefts stirring tensions.  
      When a spate of white killings puts Native Americans in the crosshairs as the culprits, Sarah has a whole lot of questions and few answers she’s willing to swallow.
      Driven by her desire to protect her town and root out injustice, Sarah reluctantly picks up the badge and seeks to reveal the truth.
      Book three in the Sarah Sawyer series is an exciting Western that’s as down to earth as the dust on a tough rancher’s boots.

   
            

[END AUTHOR TRANSMISSION]

As promised, my #BLM, #AOC, and #BIPOC content in my newsletter and on my website will remain indefinitely for anyone who wants or needs it. It's important so it will not be taken down. If anyone has suggestions for an addition, feel free to send the info my way. Thanks!

BIPOC Author & Resource list

Thanks to KD Williamson for this graphic

#OwnVoices & BIPOC F/F fiction Authors in our community
If you are a black or indigenous author of color, or know an author who is not listed below, please send me a message and I'll include them next month. THIS LIST IS NOT GOING AWAY!
Amazon Author Page Links (99 and counting)
Alice Walker - Romance
Allysyn Jones - Romance, Erotica, Humor
Alyssa Cole - Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
AM McKnight - Romance, Short Stories
Aminah Mae Safi - Romance, Young Adults
Anna Stone - Romance
Anne Shade - Erotica
Anondra Williams - Fantasy, Science Fiction
April Sinclair - Historical Fiction, Young Adults
Arizona X Tape - Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal
Ava Freeman - Romance
Becky Birtha - Poetry, Short Stories
CB Lee - Science Fiction, Young Adults
Celeste Castro - Romance, Horror, Paranormal
Cheryl A. Head - Crime, Mystery
Chinelo Okparanta - Historical Fiction
Darlene Burns - Horror, Science Fiction
Delores Cremm - Historical Fiction, Drama, Short Stories
Destiny Hawkins - Science Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Teen, Young Adults, Short Stories
Dillon Watson - Romance
Eija Jimenez - Romance
Elizebeth Andre - Romance, Thriller, Paranormal
Fiona Zedde - Action, Erotica, Romance
Gabrielle Goldsby - Romance, Historical
Ileandra Young - Fantasy, Science Fiction
J. Nichole - Romance
J.Y. Yang - Fantasy, Science Fiction
Jacqueline Koyanagi - Science Fiction
Jade Winters - Romance, Short Stories
Jennifer Linsky - Science Fiction, Romance
Jewelle Gomez - Erotica, Play (Theatre), Poetry, Short Stories
Junauda Petrus - Play (Theatre), Romance, Young Adults
K Arsenault Rivera - Fantasy
K. Ancrum - Romance, Young Adults
Kalynn Bayron - Young Adults
Katrina Jackson - Romance
KD Williamson - Action, Romance
Ki Love - Action, Science Fiction
Krystal Smith - Science Fiction, Short Stories, Romance
La Toya Hankins - Romance
Larissa Lai - Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
LaShonda Katrice Barnett - Historical Fiction
Laurinda D. Brown - Erotica
Lea Santos - Romance
Leah Johnson - Romance, Young Adults
LM Bennett - Poetry, Short Stories, Lesbian Studies
Lynda Sandoval - Romance, Young Adults
Makeda Silvera - Romance, Short Stories
Malinda Lo - Young Adults
Mason Dixon - Romance
MB Guel - Teen, Young Adults
Mercedes Lewis - Poetry
Mia McKenzie - Drama
Misa Sugiura - Romance, Young Adults
Monique 'B.T' Thomas - Romance, Drama
Nalo Hopkinson - Science Fiction, Short Stories
Nanisi Barrett D'Arnuk - Erotica, Short Stories, Romance
Nghi Vo - Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
Nicky Drayden - Speculative Fiction
Nik Nicholson - Historical Fiction, Poetry
Nikki Harmon - Romance, Science Fiction
Nikki Rashan - Romance
Nisi Shawl - Fantasy, Horror, Short Stories
Octavia Reese - Children, Speculative Fiction
Penny Mickelbury - Mystery
Rachel E. Bailey - Fantasy, Romance
Raven ShadowHawk - Erotica
Rebekah Weatherspoon - Erotica, Romance
Rivers Solomon - Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
RJ Samuel - Romance, Suspense
S. Renée Bess - Mystery, Short Stories
Sara Farizan - Teen, Young Adult
Shamim Sharif - Action, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Young Adults
Sheree L. Greer - Drama, Short Stories
Sheryn Munir - Romance
Shonia Brown - Drama, Romance
Skyy - Romance
Sonora Ryes - Young Adults
Stephanie Andrea Allen - Science Fiction, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction
Tanai Walker - Paranormal, Thriller
Tasha Suri - Fantasy, Young Adults
Tenea D. Johnson - Horror, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction
V Castro - Paranormal, Horror, Erotica
V.A. Fearon - Crime
Yolanda Wallace - Romance
Zaina Arafat - Drama
Zen Cho - Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
Zoraida Córdova - Fantasy, Romance, Young Adults

#BLM support pages with many resources links
Black Lives Matter Resources
BOMB Magazine
Lecture In Progress
Time Out
FINIMPACT (UK business resource)

Lists/Sites Supporting Black & POC Authors & Stories
PBS - 10 Black Authors To Read
Black Literary Organizations
Independent Websites Dedicated to Authors of African Descent
Best Black queer books, according to Black LGBTQ leaders
25 Black Queer Books to Honor Protests and Pride Month
10 Young Black LGBTQ Authors Reclaiming Their Space Through Words
Queer Fiction by Queer Writers of Color
Goodreads Fiction about lesbian, bisexual, and queer women of color
23 LGBTQ Books With A POC Protagonist
Black Lesbian Literary Collective
Best Black Lesbian Books - Amazon.com
10 Novels & Memoirs By and About Black Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women
Lesfic Authors of Color Directory