What's New with Apollo's Men

I know it's been a while since I said anything about how the series Apollo's Men is progressing. First it was because I couldn't get Blogger to work. Then it was because I was writing and writing and writing...

Now that I've got Blogger working and have made some substantial progress, it's time for an update.

Alexios' Fate was the first story in the series. Some readers felt it contained unresolved issues because let's face it, it's a series so I couldn't fix everything in book 1.

I immediately set about writing book 2 (it's untitled) to begin resolving one of the biggest issues as far the readers were concerned. I was about 1/2 way through with the MS when I received a call for an anthology of historical short stories (Lust in Time). So what did I do?

I wrote a short story entitled 496 BC. It is Alexios' Fate 1.5 and told from Galen's POV. He deserved to tell his side of the story. And boy did he!

Then of course, I went back to work on book 2. I even had the vague outline for book 3, A Spartan Love. About 2/3 through the MS (Are you sensing a theme here?), I realized that A Spartan Love takes place before and a bit concurrently with book 2. So I started on A Spartan Love.

But there was still one unfilled spot in that anthology. A short story about how Theron and Andreas from A Spartan Love first got together formed. No matter what I did, I couldn't keep Taming Theron under the 7K word limit. I chopped all over the place, but it felt like it had taken a hatchet to it. Finally, I gave up and made it into a novel.

Now (Finally!) I'm working on A Spartan Love. I'm about 1/2 through with this MS. But don't worry, I won't be switching gears. Because of how Taming Theron ends, I have to have A Spartan Love ready to release soon after Taming Theron. I don't plan on subbing them separately.

Then I'll get back to that poor unnamed MS. So I actually have three books written or nearly written and getting close to being subbed.

I also have a vague outline for an untitled book 5. Then I have a couple of contemporaries I really want to work on.

Apollo's Men:
Alexios' Fate
496 BC
Taming Theron
A Spartan Love
Untitled book 4
Untitled book 5

Apollo's Men

The series Apollo's Men is centered around pederasty and the strongly homocentric culture of 5th century BC Greece, when women were sidelined in most of the city-states. Sparta was an exception. Spartan women were trained to be matches for their men, to be athletic and educated. "Because only Spartan women give birth to real men."

In Homeric fashion, the gods and all their lesser brethren are real. Apollo walks the world Alexios, Galen, Lykos, Theron, and Andreas inhabit. He is not a benevolent omniscient deity. He is more a personification of his attributes as the Lord of Light (notice that is not the sun god, Helios), healing, music and the arts, and of course prophecy. He has a darker side as do all the Greek gods, having all the personality flaws that men, ie humans, do.

Alexios' Fate is the first book in the Apollo's Men series. This is where we meet Alexios and Galen. Alexios is the heir to the city-state of Dicaea. Galen was purchased as a birthday gift a decade before when Alexios has still an eight-year-old boy. Together they learn more about themselves and each other in the face their own mortality.

496 BC, Apollo's Men #1.5, continues Alexios and Galen's saga. This story gives us our first look inside Galen's heart and mind, exploring his feeling for Alexios, his new status as a recently freed slave, and his antipathy toward his lover's mentor. As well as giving a better view of slavery, class status/distinctions, and the homocentric nature of portions of the ancient Greek world.

Taming Theron, Apollo's Men #2, is the story of Andreas, a Spartan helot, who finds that food is the way to a man's heart. He sets off to "seduce" a young elite Spartan warrior, but may have bitten off more than he can chew. Taming Theron is off with my second beta reader. When he comes back, I will address any changes/suggestions she makes and get it ready for submission.

In the meanwhile, I've started A Spartan Love, Apollo's Men #3. This tale continues the story started in Taming Theron. Theron fears that his relationship with Andreas has been compromised, placing Andreas' life at risk. He has to make some life-changing decisions, and fast.

Apollo's Men #4 is still unfortunately without a title. The rough draft is approximately 3/4 finished. But when I realized that Taming Theron and A Spartan Love preceded it chronologically, I put it on hold and started with the other works.

Apollo's Men #5 adds another couple to the mix, but I think I'll wait a little longer before revealing who they are. I've got to have something to surprise you with.

My First Dead-Tree Book

My latest Alexios/Galen short story, 496 BC, will be appearing in MLR Press' anthology Lust in Time. The ebook version will be available February 22nd. The dead tree book comes out on March 2nd.


The story takes place on the Attic coast after Alexios and Galen set sail with King Lykos on his way to deliver Cyrus to Delphi. The title is actually the year the events take place. I had the series set roughly during that decade, but the naming of the stories in the anthology required an actual date. So I buckled down and did some research on the Persian War, structures present at Delphi during that era, and what city-states were overrun by the Persians at different times. There is a little slop (pool term) in there, but that is the closest I can come to an actual date that gets me every thing I need in this story and the series in general.


But the most important aspect of this story is it gives us our first look inside Galen's heart and mind, exploring his feelings for Alexios, his new status as a recently freed slave, and his antipathy toward his lover's mentor. As well as giving a better view of slavery, class status, and the homocentric nature of portions of the ancient Greek world.

Getting to Know Me

Last week, I took a little "Getting to know you" questionnaire over at LRC. I don't think many people read it, but it occurred to me that my friends and fans might be interested in my replies. So here it is.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
What if I'm a good mother and like them all?
* Galen from Alexios' Fate is a real sweetie. He's put up with so much and is now trying to come to terms with his freedom.
* Cinder in From the Ashes is another sweet guy, but he's coming into his own as a young man.
* Andreas from A Spartan Love is a lonely young man, learning to trust.There lovers are princes and/or warriors.
I guess that means I root for the underdogs.

Tell us about your current release.
My current release is From the Ashes. It is a Cinderfella, an m/m Cinderella, set in 16th century France.
Blurb: Cinder never thought that he could rise from the ashes of his life, but an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his fairy godmother may be just what he needs. Finding himself flung into his very own fairy tale, she sends him off to meet his Prince Charming. But was the gown really necessary?

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?
I do most of my writing during the week after the kids have gone to bed. One the weekends, I write in the morning while the kids play games. I would say I write anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the day and if the muse is talking to me.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Finding the time to do it. I have some of my best ideas while I'm driving to and from work, but I can't stop and get it down on paper. Then I get home and while I have the ideas, the really good words have already disappeared. :(

What does your family think of your writing career?
They don't really know about it.

What do you think makes a good story?
Engaging characters are a must. If I don't like the characters, I find it hard to keep pushing on. But I think my pet peeve is when the logic is lacking or the information is just plain wrong. Research, people! I love research.

Plotter or Pantser? Why?
Pantser. I have the basic idea, and some times it's really basic, and then I let my characters tell their stories. My best stuff happens when one of my character takes the bit in their teeth and runs with it.

How do you develop your plots and your characters? Do you use any set formula?
I get the basic idea and then while I'm driving to work, I do my best to make it both logical and plausible. It's kind of like solving a puzzle. How do I get from point A to point B?

What book are you reading now? Any favorite authors/books you want to do a shout out for?
I'm not reading anything right at this moment. Maybe later today, I'll start a new book, if I get my writing and other chores done first.
I did recently beta read two wonderful stories: Leather+Lace by AB Gayle and Easy Ryder by Deanna Wadsworth. You will want to get your hands on both once they are released.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Cuddle up in my recliner with a blanket and a good book. Frequently, I also have a child in my lap. Good times!

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?
If you enjoy writing, write for fun. Don't get discouraged. It's also a good idea to start at one of the fanfiction sites to hone your skills. Write about something you enjoy.

What hobbies do you actively pursue?
Cross-stitch and writing.

Morning Person? Or Night Person?
Morning person. I pop right out of bed, often before the alarm goes off.

Coffee, tea or other drink to get you moving in the morning?
I post photos of hotties labeled "Morning cup of Joe" and "Double espresso", but I despise coffee! I rarely drink anything first thing in the morning. I do like a cup of tea when it's cold out. Doesn't happen too often in Houston, TX.

It's a new year so do you do resolutions or goals for the upcoming year?
I've got a few WIPs going right now. I intend to get at least half of them published. The Apollo's Men series first and anything after that is a bonus.

What is coming up from you in 2013? Anything you want to tease us with?
* I have an Alexios/Galen (Alexios' Fate 1.5) short story entitled 496 BC coming out in an anthology.
* I am also working on the continuation of Alexios and Galen's story, as well as another novel in the series called A Spartan Love.
* The first section of A Spartan Love I am calling Taming Theron, in which our young hero Andreas learns that food is indeed the way to a man's heart.

New Project

My friend Gavin Atlas forwarded a submission call for historical m/m erotic romances. He said it looked like it was right up my alley.

So I decided to write an Alexios/Galen short story. It is titled "496 BC" in accordance with the anthology guidelines, and takes place between the end of Alexios' Fate and the sequel.

496 BC gives us Galen's point of view, something we haven't seen previously. Along with insights into his life as a freed slave.

AB Gayle suggested that I rewrite it strictly from Galen's POV. I've given that a try and will take scenes from that version and put them into a dual POV piece. Then I'm going to ask my beta readers which one is better. So I'm not even sure which one I'm going with yet.

The single POV story is a hauntingly bittersweet love story. I don't know what the other version will be yet, but I think it will be a little more sweet. I'll have a better idea once I finish it.