Interview: "Thrones of Desire" by Mitzi Szereto

I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)

Mitzi: I’m an author and anthology editor of multi-genre fiction and non-fiction. I also have a blog “Errant Ramblings: Mitzi Szereto’s Weblog” (http://mitziszereto.com/blog) and I’m the creator and presenter of the Web TV channel “Mitzi TV” (http://mitziszereto.com/tv), which covers “quirky” London. I’m very active in social media as well. Further to this, I’ve lectured in creative writing at several British universities and have pioneered erotic writing workshops in the UK and mainland Europe. As for juicy, I never discuss my private life! You’ll have to wait for my autobiography to come out. They’ll be shelving it under “science-fiction.”

When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

Mitzi: I would say that I officially took it up as a serious professional pursuit around the turn of the century (and I mean the 21st  century!). And yes, it’s full time, when I can find the time. I do so many other things that pertain to the business of writing that the actual writing can often fall by the wayside. I did work simultaneously as a university lecturer in creative writing in England, but I set that aside. I have a lot of projects I really want to get going with, so I’m not making any commitments beyond these at the moment. Well, unless someone makes me an offer I can’t refuse, such as something on television (which is, in fact, an idea being bandied about).

Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

Mitzi: I’m not really sure I’ve been inspired by any authors. There are authors whose work I have enjoyed, so I imagine that I must take away something from their works and file it away in my subconscious. But if you look at writers whose work I’ve consistently read, it tends to bear little similarity to the books I actually produce. Well, other than Jane Austen, obviously, since I did write a sex parody of her Pride and Prejudice, namely my Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts.

How long does it normally take you to write an average book or your last book?

Mitzi: It’s difficult to say. It’s rare that I can ever focus on one specific book, as I’m always doing a million other things and keep getting pulled away from the work. You’ll find that there are probably more instances of stopping and starting then of having my nose to the grindstone. That usually happens when the deadline is looming! For Thrones of Desire, I can say it probably averaged out to about a year, from start to finish.

What do you think makes a story great?

Mitzi: It should engage you on many levels, and the prose should be flawless. You can have a great idea, but if its execution is only sub-standard, it isn’t going to fly. You can have a storyline that is only so-so, but if it’s superbly executed, you can make up for what it lacks in other areas. If you can manage to combine a great storyline with brilliant execution, you’ve really cracked it!

Can you describe your book "Thrones of Desire: Erotic Tales of Swords, Mist and Fire" in one sentence?

Mitzi: Where lust and legend abound, and adventure, passion and danger entwine…

Tell us a little more about this book.

Mitzi: It’s fantasy in the epic tradition, but with lots of steam! You’ll find dragons and warriors, kings and queens, heroes and villains, sorcerers and secrets—it’s got it all! Oh, did I mention it’s steamy? And there’s even a special foreword from legendary fantasy author Piers Anthony. Think Game of Thrones and you’ll get the idea!

Have you done lots of research for your books or do the stories just come to you?

Mitzi: They generally just come to me. The only research I might need to do is to gather some information to make it authentic. If your story isn’t authentic and correct in detail, you’ve lost your credibility.

What are you currently working on?

Mitzi: I’m writing another novel that’s based on a classic work of literature, only this one won’t be a parody a la Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts, but more so a continuation of the original work, featuring paranormal and erotic themes. As soon as I’ve completed it, I’ll be starting the second novel in the Thelonious T. Bear Chronicles with my sidekick and co-author Teddy Tedaloo (https://www.facebook.com/teddytedaloo.fanpage), the first in the series having been Normal for Norfolk (The Thelonious T. Bear Chronicles). I’ve also been working off and on writing a novel with another author, which will hopefully make an appearance in late 2013.

Can you tell us about some of your prior achievements?

Mitzi: Well, I’ve got a fairly nice publishing track record. Some of my other books beyond those I’ve already mentioned include Red Velvet and Absinthe: Paranormal Erotic Romance, Getting Even: Revenge Stories, Dying for It: Tales of Sex and Death, Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers, and the Erotic Travel Tales anthology series. I’m proud to say that I’m the first to have an erotica anthology that includes a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. There’s also my web TV channel Mitzi TV, which is a fun series of videos covering the quirkier side of London. As I mentioned, I’ve pioneered erotic writing workshops in the UK and mainland Europe. I have earned a lot of credibility in this regard and am regularly invited to teach at prestigious literature festivals and also on residential courses in locations such as the Greek islands.

Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?

Mitzi: I think you’ve about covered it. I hope everyone enjoys the new book—and any other books I’ve done and will do, of course. No two are the same!

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback?

Paperback. They weigh less.

Dog ears or Bookmarks?

Dog ears. I’ve got plenty of bookmarks, but I never remember that I have them.

YA novels or Adult novels?

Adult novels. I didn’t even read YA when I was a YA.

Library or Bookstore?

Library so more, but there’s nothing like a bookstore!

Reading glasses or No glasses?

I can’t see worth a damn no matter what I’m looking at.

Snack while reading or No snacks?

Snacks. Most definitely snacks!

Beach or Mountain?

Mountain. I love the ocean, but I don’t like the sun.

Vampire or Werewolf?

Vampire.

Hot or Flirty?

Both.

Movie 1st or Book 1st?

Book 1st.

Contemporary or Historical?

Contemporary.

Page-Turner or Tear Jerker?

Page-Turner.

Mitzi Szereto website: http://mitziszereto.com

Mitzi Szereto on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mitziszereto

Mitzi Szereto Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/mitziszereto.fanpage

Errant Ramblings: Mitzi Szereto’s Weblog: http://mitziszereto.com/blog

Mitzi TV: http://mitziszereto.com/tv

Thrones of Desire: Erotic Tales of Swords, Mist and Fire: http://mitziszereto.com/thronesofdesire/

Mitzi Szereto Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/72445.Mitzi_Szereto

Mitzi Szereto Google+ official page: https://plus.google.com/b/105002950509883985630/105002950509883985630/posts

Mitzi Szereto MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mitzi_szereto 

 Thrones of Desire is a place where lust and legend abound, and adventure, passion and danger entwine. Think mystical lands and creatures, kings and queens, knights and renegades, heroes and villains, warlords, maidens and princesses. Think battles and danger, honor and dishonor, good and evil. Most of all, think hearts filled with passion and secret desire. This is a place where romantic chivalry is alive and well, but so too is romantic wickedness. This is a place where the good do not always win, and the bad are often more captivating and desirable than their altruistic counterparts. In these lush and timeless landscapes, the battle for flesh can be as important as the battle for power. Intrigue, sorcery, revenge, lawlessness, dark secrets and mysterious elixirs; entanglements with supernatural beings — everything is possible in these magical mythical landscapes. Inspired by Game of Thrones these imaginative steamy tales transport the reader to fantastical realms.