2019 has been my best year yet in terms of writing and this is mostly down to the fact that I made the decision to self-publish. As a writer I have never been interested in writing to market or writing something that will appeal to everyone. What I wanted was to write happy endings for queer, disabled women like me. I love romance and I love romance tropes and my aim is to write all the romance tropes but queer and kinky and without the problematic elements that are present in so many tropes. I feel like self-publishing allows me to write exactly what I want to write without having to worry if agents and publishers will consider it marketable. I’ve always thought that if it’s something I want to write then there will be an audience for it, even if that audience is small. I don’t need to be a bestselling author or win awards, I’m just happy that I’ve been able to find an audience for my books.
Kneel
The first book I published was Kneel: Stories of Lesbian Submission. This is a book of three short stories. Two of them, Mistress and Secretly Submissive, were previously published in Ladylit anthologies, and Desk Job is a new story. All of the stories are F/F D/s erotic romance. Mistress and Desk Job are both told from the perspective of autistic characters and the Domme in Desk Job has arthritis.
I had some really amazing feedback for Kneel and it currently has all five-star ratings on Goodreads. One reviewer, Alice, said “Loved these short stories. They were fun, had great representation (I especially loved the Autistic rep as an Autistic reader), the dynamics were great. Definitely recommend to readers looking for fun kinky short stories.” Another reviewer, Catherine, wrote that my stories are clear and precise, wonderful and original.
You can buy Kneel here
Bound to the Monarchs
My second book this year was Bound to the Monarchs, an FFM polyamorous, fantasy romance story set in a world where being queer is the norm and most people mate in threes. This is the first book in my Lencura series, and it focuses on Vitoria, a disabled woman who stumbles onto shifter lands and into the arms of the dominant shifter king and queen.
One reviewer, Catherine, described Bound to the Monarchs as having “everything you could want. Triads, shifters, love and BDSM.” Another reviewer said, “What a wonderful story. It’s so refreshing to read about a disabled heroine have adventures, fall in love and find happiness. The author did a great job of depicting disability honestly. The polym relationship was hot, and the world engaging.” C.Glen found the story sweet and endearing and author Lila Mina described it as “excellent writing, sensual and emotional with a lovely heroine at the center of a very original world.”
You can buy Bound to the Monarchs here
No Room At The Inn
My third and final book of the year was No Room At The Inn, a kinky friends to lovers Christmas Romance. It’s the first book in my The Kinky Hotel series. It’s told from the point of a view of an autistic woman who is stranded at the erotic hotel where she works and has to share a room with one of her friends.
One reviewer HC said it was, “a lovely holiday read! I very much enjoyed Emma and Sylvia and very much wanted them to figure things out and be together! The kink is well done and very hot, with excellent D/s dynamics and well done humiliation kink. Consent was very clearly presented throughout. I had the biggest smile at the happily ever after.” Another reviewer said “If you’re looking for a quick sub/dom f/f Christmas novella with a lot of smut this one is for you.”
You can buy No Room At The Inn here
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has bought my books, reviewed or rated my books, promoted my books and just generally been supportive. A special thanks to my wonderful critique partners.
I have lots more exciting projects planned for 2020, including the return of the Autistic Book Project, so keep an eye on my blog and twitter and sign up to my newsletter to keep up to date.
I hope you have a very happy new year!
Brooke Winters 