Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. We appreciate you being here.

What are you currently working on?

I have a shapeshifter/erotica in the mix right now. This story is titled SHADOW FIRE and is set in the high desert mountains of Arizona. I have an RWA recognized publisher interested in this story, but I don't want to jinx myself yet.

Who do you consider to be an excellent author and why?

There are so many I admire! So that I don't hurt anyone's feelings, I'll say that an excellent author is one who produces stories that captivate my imagination, give me characters I fall in love with, steamy sex and a story that takes me for a ride up to the very end. These are the same kinds of stories I enjoy writing, too.

What, to you, makes the best publisher?

In utopia (ha!) the best publisher would be one who does all my promotional work for me. That's the one thing I despise doing. And of course, the "best publisher" is also one who pays me LOTS for my stories.

In reality, the best publisher is the one who deals with me honestly, responds to my urgent emails quickly, and gives my book the respect, time and space on their website that I think it deserves. Afterall, this is my blood/sweat/tears and dreams in their hands. The best publisher also does quite a bit of advertising for their authors, and actively seeks additional work from them in advance.

In reality, the best publisher is the one who deals with me honestly, responds to my urgent emails quickly, and gives my book the respect, time and space on their website that I think it deserves. Afterall, this is my blood/sweat/tears and dreams in their hands. The best publisher also does quite a bit of advertising for their authors, and actively seeks additional work from them in advance. In reality, the best publisher is the one who deals with me honestly, responds to my urgent emails quickly, and gives my book the respect, time and space on their website that I think it deserves. Afterall, this is my blood/sweat/tears and dreams in their hands. The best publisher also does quite a bit of advertising for their authors, and actively seeks additional work from them in advance.

What does your working space look like?

That depends on where I am at the moment. At work (ie, my 'day job') my desk is neat and tidy and reflects the working atmosphere of my employer. I don't have a lot of personal mementos on my desk. At home, my desk is covered with bright colored sticky notes, pictures for story inspiration, pictures of my dogs, horses, and family, books from other authors and reference material like maps. I also have a marvelous globe that I spin around and daydream with. Both work spaces are ergonomically designed since I'm paranoid about getting carpal tunnel or back pain from sitting for long stretches of time. My coffee cup is almost always full and sits on a cork coaster to the right of my mouse. I also have a pack of sugarless peppermint gum handy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy riding my horse, and taking my dogs for a run. When I can, I want to be outdoors. Inside, I'll choose to read rather than watch TV.

Tell your fans something personal about you. Something they would want to know.

My name is an alias, but most readers expect that.

What is your favorite type of genre to write?

By far, paranormal erotica is my favorite! I love the freedom it allows me. To create something fantastical and not bound by the stricture of history or reality is way too much fun to ignore.

To read?

Same thing as above. I enjoy reading almost anything, though. As long as its well-written, and fills my senses, I'll enjoy the story.

Do you owe your success to anyone?

A lot of people helped direct my path to becoming a published author. Rita Shake, Barbara Karmazin, Anna McClain, Patricia Crossley, and Jeanine Berry are the crit partners I've been with the longest. I guess they had the most influence in molding me and have my deepest gratitude!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

I've always loved words. Numbers don't mean squat to me! But words, they're magic. I daydreamed a lot as a kid and wrote here and there, but never got the bug to do something real with this desire until a few years ago. Once I found my crit partners, I was finally able to focus this energy into something worthwhile. And its been full-steam ahead since then!

What was the first story you ever wrote and what kind of reviews did you receive?

The first story I ever wrote was "Nick and Nack", a short story about two German Shepard dogs who lived on a farm. I wrote it when I was about 10 years old. I also illustrated it. My mother kept it after showing the entire neighborhood. Reviews? I guess they said it was cute!

My first real story is EVENING STAR, which debuted this past June published by Liquid Silver Books. It's an erotic western contemporary. So far, I've received 5 Stars from JERR, 4/5 Angels from FAR, and I'm sure there are others...but I haven't found them yet. That's not something I'm terribly focused on, even though its fun to read them.

Can you please tell us either about the book you are writing now or the last one published?

SHADOW FIRE is my current baby. The heroine is Isabel Landry, a wildlife photojournalist. As a young child she became lost in the Arizona mountains and was 'saved' from a cougar attack by another cougar's interference. All her life she thought the second cougar had strange and remarkable intelligence, and has puzzled over the why's of that experience her whole life.

Twenty-two years later, Isabel's invited back to Arizona as a photojournalist, to document the wildlife in a national park that is under consideration for sale by the goverment. The hero, Zeke Shadow, is the local sheriff and he's a werecougar. His mother is the environmental activist who invited Isabel to stay in their home. Of course, Isabel and Zeke have an instant sexual attraction upon meeting. They fight this attraction, since both are very immersed in and dedicated to their jobs. Zeke is also trying to solve two murders that have been made to look like deadly cougar attacks, and only he knows there is a man, not beast, involved. His second task is trying to keep Isabel out of harm's way, since - being a curious photojournalist - she has a penchance for finding trouble.

SHADOW FIRE has the highest level of sexual tension and mystery interspersed throughout the story. And its been the most fun to write! I can't wait to start on it every day.

What is a typical day like for you?

I'm up at 6 a.m. I start by letting my 3 dogs out, feed them. Then I make cereal and coffee for breakfast and eat while I watch the local news and weather. I'm at work by 8 a.m. My job is very flexible, and I have a private office, so I might get about an hour or more of writing done during the day. I leave the office at 4:30 p.m. After changing my clothes, I play with the dogs for a while, feed them again, make dinner or go out with my husband for something like Chinese or Italian. I visit the barn where our horses are boarded 3 or 4 times a week, and when I do that, I'm not home again until 9 p.m. That's when I start up the computer, check my email, and start writing until about 11 p.m.

SOMEDAY...I'll get up and just start writing all day long. Ah, that would be just fine! But until then, I can only write a few hours a day.

What is the best advice you can give to new authors?

You have to WRITE. Do it everyday. Find a support group for critting and stick with them. Even if you're life is hectic, if you want to be a writer, a published author, you must write! And read the genre you're interested in writing. You can't know what sells, unless you read it.

Is there anything else you would like to tell your fans?

Buy my books, of course. ;o) And write to me! Let me know what you think of my stories, and if there's anything you'd like me to include in the next ones. I'm open to suggestions and really enjoy chatting with readers. Nothing is better than feedback from readers! I can be contacted at rita_sable@yahoo.com.

Interviewed By:
Ruby