Hello everyone!
First, I’d like to start by thanking everyone who has read my latest book, This Time. It’s no lie that I was a tad bit petrified of how it would be received, but the lovely reviews have made it all worthwhile. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who have taken the time to leave a review or to reach out on social media. I am also extremely happy to report The Lesbian Review gave it their approval. Read their review here.
Next, I want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends! I hope you all have a safe and lovely holiday.
I cannot wait for our turkey day. It is my favorite holiday (fun fact #1). No pressure of gift giving- just family, friends, football, and food. I see some of you are enjoying that wonderful season they call Autumn. Some even have a taste of winter already. Here? We are stuck in perpetual summer. I much prefer cooler temps. I don’t even like hot showers (fun fact #2). Oh well, maybe by Halloween…or possibly a few days in February. Dadgum Florida!
Finally, I’m sorry I don’t have much to report on the writing front other than I was fortunate enough to score a table read of a scene from my screenplay adaptation of Somewhere Between Love and Justice. Boy, was it different to hear it aloud! These new experiences are so much fun. But, other than tightening up that script with hopes of it one day ending up on screen, I’ve been dabbling here and there until one of the ideas grabs a hold of the reins. But, I am proud to say that I have made it through 10 months of my 2018 resolution of doing a blog once a month. I’ve had a great time interviewing all the wonderful authors who’ve joined me here and it’s not over yet.
This month, TB Markinson, author of several lesfic series such as Confessions and A Woman Lost, stops by to chat. She has penned a myriad of romances, comedies, and suspense novels, so no matter your preference, she has a book for you.
Hello TB. Thanks so much for joining me on the Author Meet & Greet. A fan wrote in and wonders if Atticus is still a morning being or has that changed? I know my cat seems to change with the seasons.
Attie is still a morning cat. We’ve been together for thirteen years now, and he’s always been a morning cat. He’s older (estimated to be between fourteen to sixteen), though, and he doesn’t stay up for long. After his breakfast he’s ready for his first nap. Lately I’ve been getting up well before six, which is confusing him. Usually he sleeps in the office while I write, but I’m learning he doesn’t like to appear in my work space until after eight in the morning.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure food?
Just one? Not sure I can narrow it down. As I’m writing this, I’m eating cheese curls and enjoying a Guinness so I’ll go with that.
Another fan question: What is your wildest dream?
To travel to 193 countries. In case you’re curious about the number, that’s the number of member states of the United Nations. I’m a political science nerd. So far, I’ve traveled to over twenty. I have some work to do.
Where is your favorite place to write and do you have a special something around when you write?
I’m easily distracted so I can’t work in cafes or any place with people or noise. Instead, I sit at my desk in my apartment, which I try to keep free of clutter. Try being the key word. I wear headphones and listen to music as loud as it’ll go.
As for a special something, I have several small minion figurines I keep at the ready in case I need to bounce ideas off anyone.
What genre’s/authors do you enjoy reading?
I love to read and I’ll read just about anything. And, usually I have anywhere between two to four books to choose from. Currently, I’m listening to two audiobooks, not at the same time though: Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson and Telling Lies Online by Miranda MacLeod. I have two paperbacks on my nightstand. I’m almost done with Dark Money: How a Secretive Group of Billionaires is Trying to Buy Political Control in the US by Jane Mayer (I mentioned I’m a political science nerd, right?). And, I’ve also started a biography on Jane Austen. Like I said, my reading taste is quite varied.
Was there a book that grabbed you and inspired you to write lesbian fiction or have you always leaned that way?
The first lesbian book I remember reading was Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters. Although, I don’t think it inspired me to write lesfic. My reason is much simpler. I write lesbian fiction because I’m a lesbian.
I love that you started a lesfic website and try to spread the word on new authors. What inspired iheartlesfic?
Back in 2016, I moved to Dublin, Ireland with my partner for her job. The plan was to stay for one year. When we agreed to the transfer, neither of us knew that I wouldn’t be able to work, which included publishing new books.
We ended up living in Dublin for eighteen months. I stayed busy writing, but in order to keep my name out there, I started planning joint sales with other lesfic authors. The first included books by Harper Bliss and Clare Lydon. And it was super successful and I realized there was potential for growth. That’s how I Heart Lesfic was born.
Every Tuesday I send out the I Heart Lesfic new releases newsletter and I organize three mega sales per year. Also, I host guest posts by lesfic authors. If there are any lesfic authors reading who would like to schedule a guest post, give me a shout: tbmarkinson@gmail.com
Bio:
TB Markinson is an American writer living in England. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs, or reading. Not necessarily in that order.
Feel free to visit TB’s website lesbianromancesbytbm.com to say hello. She also runs I Heart Lesfic (iheartlesfic.com), a place for authors and fans of lesfic to celebrate and chat about lesbian fiction.
CONNECT WITH TB:
I Heart Lesfic: https://iheartlesfic.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHeartLesfic
Author Website: https://lesbianromancesbytbm.com/
Newsletter:
Readers can grab a free copy of A Woman Lost and bonus chapters by subscribing to my newsletter: https://lesbianromancesbytbm.com/join-tbms-mailing-list/
Latest Release:
The Hidden One (Book 2 in The Chosen One series)
Mock election. Real world danger. Ainsley’s relationship and reputation may not survive the campaign trail.
Still reeling from the targeted attack on her family, Ainsley is determined to keep a low profile during senior year. But a mandatory class project pulls her back into the political fray as the mock Democratic presidential candidate. With the entire campus watching, Ainsley knows it’s only a matter of time before her rival turns the spotlight on her and her secretive girlfriend.
Groomed from birth by her politically connected family, Ainsley knows she can handle the abuse. But shielding her girlfriend’s secrets is a matter of life or death. To protect the ones she loves, Ainsley will need to use every shrewd political move in the book.
The Hidden One is the captivating second book in a series of lesbian romantic suspense novels that shed light on modern American politics. If you like romance that defies the odds, a satirical take on current events, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love T.B. Markinson’s compelling tale.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9P8ZVR
Thank you again, TB, for joining me and thanks to you all for reading. I can’t believe the year is almost over, but we will finish with a bang. November and December will feature giveaways and the duo from the LezGeekOut! podcast, Andi Marquette and Lise MacTague, respectively. We’ll talk fanfic, fandom, podcasts, and publishing. If you have any questions for either of these ladies, please hit me up here or on social media.
Until next time, all the best,
SW
