Well, it’s the final day of the Boys Down Under author guest blogs. Today you’re in for a treat…Maggie Nash.
We all love Mags. Why? Well apart from the fact that she is an awesome author, she’s also the one who took us all under her wing and guided us through those tough writing times. If I had a question, I’d ask Mags. If I needed help…Mags. A shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend? You got it – Maggie.
Not only is she an extraordinary person, she has also single handedly initiated the Australian Romance Readers Convention. Without her, this exciting, groundbreaking conference, featuring hundreds of international and Aussie authors and readers would not be taking place in February.
To add to her wonderfulness, Mags will choose one reader who leaves a comment today to win a copy of Boys Down Under. So don’t be shy!!! Trust me – you want a copy of Boys Down Under.
I love her, and I’m sure you will too.
Heeeeere’s Maggie:
Maggie Nash:
Hi Jess!? Thanks so much for inviting me to chat at your blog today. It’s so exciting to have BOYS DOWN UNDER back on the published list. We had such fun when we were writing it ? I thought I might talk about a topic that is very dear to all of our hearts ? reading romance!
I love romance and I’m proud of it!
You know before I became a romance writer I used to be a closet romance reader. There was no limit to the ends I would go to hide my secret addiction. I would read my treasured books in the privacy of my own bedroom. I would buy them from shops where no one I knew was likely to see me.? I even, and I am really embarrassed to admit, bought birthday cards and mothers day cards along with the books and pretended to by getting them as gifts. Can you believe that?? I was one sick puppy!
You know what it’s like.? Those looks of amusement accompanied by those superior attitudes.
“Oh, you’re reading one of those books are you?”
Then, the heated blush would appear out of nowhere.? My tongue would swell and dry at the same time and conveniently stick to the roof of my mouth.
“Ahh…yeth…well, no…ith’s a gift for my motttherrrr.”
Then came the knowing grin.
“Of course we all know those books are so degrading to women.? And the stories are all the same. You know they all follow a strict formula.? Anyone could knock one up on a weekend.”
Yeah right!
And so it went for so many years. Holding magazines up over the book I was reading in the train so no one would see the cover. Spending a fortune on greeting cards I didn’t need.
But one day all that changed. I decided to write one of my own.
I found kindred spirits. Hundreds upon hundreds of women (and men) worldwide who shared my passion.? They GOT me!
It was so amazing and such a relief to find out that I could converse about my favourite genre, or gorgeous hero in a safe environment where no one would show me scorn.? Yippee!
It was empowering. And with power, came courage.
As my writing became more serious and I started to think about getting published, I found that I wanted to let people know.
“What do you do for fun?” people would ask.
“I write fiction stories,” I would answer.
An interested gaze would follow. “Really? That’s great!? What sort of stories?”
This is when I would gulp, take a deep breath, and think to myself? – what the heck…”I, er…I write romance stories.”
I would then sit back and wait for the snarky remarks but guess what happened?
“You do?? That’s great.”
Then the person would move closer to me and whisper, “I love reading romances. They’re so relaxing aren’t they?”
And this was not an isolated response. Even the men I confessed my secret to were so very supportive. In fact one even asked me for help with his own romance novel.
Who would have thought?
These days I don’t hesitate at all.? I tell everyone who asks (and many who don’t ?) – I write hot erotic novels, and steamy suspense.
And you know what? I’m proud of it!
Maggie Nash
www.maggienash.com
www.maggienash.blogspot.com
www.leagueofamazingwriters.com
And just in case you’ve forgotten what the Boys Down Under cover looks like… 🙂
Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of the anthology
great excerpt the book is on my wish list
Congrats ladies on your release! 🙂
I would love to go to that conference, but unless you’re giving away plane tickets, and hotel, and meals, and transportation, and… OK – no, I can’t make it. 😀
Valerie
Shucks Jess…*blush*. You’re a great friend and I love you too!
Thanks angie….I know you’ll love it!
Valerie…it would be great if you could come…but I know, it’s expensive. The good news is the exchange rate means it cheaper than it ever was to come!
Maggie
Great excerpt, I am going to put this book on my wish list.
Hi Maggie!
Congratulations on the release of Boys Down Under! I have been a fan of yours for several years and I am so thrilled that you are back out there. *G*
Since I have no shame, I will tell anybody who asks me that I read all types of books, but that I enjoy romance books the best…the hotter, the better. *L* I have a friend that says I read trash and I smile and say “Yes, and my husband thanks me for it.” *L*
I wish you, Kate, Angela, Jess, and Sarah the best of luck with this new release!!
Maggie, you rock!
Hugs,
Maithe
Congrats on the release of Boys Down Under!
The cover is stunning and I’m sure all the stories are awesome 😀
Awwww…thanks Maithe! You are so nice! And yes, I definitely have no shame too, AND my husband loves that I read and write hot (Hehehe)
Thanks Joy. Yes, I love the cover too. Valerie did a wonderful job on it. Aspen has some awesome covers 🙂 And yes, the stories are too 🙂
What? Final day? You need to go find some more great Aussie’s to put a book together.
Damn, I was trying to be good but I’m gonna have to go and bash the credit card. *sigh* I can hear it and Hubby screaming already.
RC
Valerie is a cover goddess! And I just KNOW this anthology is going to rock!
🙂
Book sounds wonderful, and Maggie- thank you for being honest.
It was hard the first couple of times to tell people that I was writing romance, but now I just say it.
I do still save the ‘erotic romance’ for people not in my church group. 😉
I love romance also. Hot, warm, its OK with me,I don’t wirte romance but I sure appreciate those who do.
hey magggggggggggs!!!
Im not posting to get the book (LOL) – how hot was it today?? we need a holiday!!
I vote we have a holiday!!
Thanks for all your comments 🙂 Quilt lady…you will love this book. All the stories are so different, but a great way to see the country 🙂
RC…LOL…I hope your dh isn’t too upset. Perhaps he might get some fringe benefits 🙂
Yes Viv..I have to be careful at church too…especially as my dh works for a church 🙂 That’s the beauty of the pseudonym 🙂
Hey Debby…thanks for posting!
Kaaaate! Yes, holiday is good! Yes, it was soooo muggy today in Sydney. And still is now at midnight 🙂 I have the aircon on 🙂
Maggie
Congrats on the release! Cover on Boys Down Under is great and the book sounds like a good read.
Congrats on the release! Loved this excerpt, it really sounds like a great read.
Yep, I agree with Jess. Mags was there for us! And she’s doing an awesome job with ARRC
Angela
Enjoyed reading the comments. I have added this book to my TBR list.
Congratulations on the book and I think it’s completely rude for anyone to belittle what someone reads.
This book goes on my Christmas list, thanks
Okay….drumroll…..
The winner of a copy of Boys Down Under…which was randomly selected from all those wonderful people who posted a comment …is…
MAUREEN!
So Maureen…please email me at maggienash@gmail.com and let me know what format you would like…
And thanks Jess for having me…and all the lovely people who took the trouble to post a comment.
Maggie