How I went from unpublished to author in 7 weeks! (#guestblog #glbt)

By Matt Converse (Guest Blogger)

I had read all the stories of best-selling novelists that had twenty-five rejections before they achieved success, but after I hit my twentieth or so I began to wonder if my journey would end in success. I had sent out my novel, a novella, and several short stories to countless agents, publications and publishers, all ending the same way. You know the routine, you anxiously await the email reply only to see those dreaded words in the subject line, “Thanks for your submission, but...” You don’t even have to read the email.

Then on January 9, 2015, everything changed. I checked my email and there was a response from a publisher I’d been waiting for, but this time the subject line said, “We absolutely LOVED Behind the Velvet Curtain.” I could hardly believe it. I hurriedly clicked on the email, and there it was. They loved my novella and attached was a contract from Comet Press. I was over the moon--and slightly hysterical. I called my Mom and she thought something was terribly wrong because I was such a babbling mess, until she realized what I was saying was that I was finally going to be published. My Mom was a great inspiration to my writing as she first got me into watching scary movies on Friday nights. This led me to writing scary short stories, and led up to me being an author in the genre of horror, mystery and thrillers.

This novella is an erotic thriller that fell naturally into that category due to the subject matter. The lead character, Matt, is a male stripper at a gay club In San Francisco.

As a novella, it would be an eBook only, so publication moves pretty quickly anyway, but this was being fast-tracked. Just seven weeks later, on March 2^nd, Behind the Velvet Curtain was released. It all happened so fast I could hardly believe it. All the struggle and hard work was worth it. It has been like a roller coaster, and I don’t want to get off any time soon.

So the stories of countless rejections and then finally a yes are true. Every no is one step closer to that yes. Keep at it, and keep writing. Do what you love and you’ll find it’s true, success doesn’t bring happiness. Happiness brings success.

My next project is publishing my first full length horror novel, which I recently finished. I’m currently writing two books at the same time, a paranormal horror novel, and a prequel to Behind the Velvet Curtain. I also have several short stories completed.

GIVEAWAY! Feeling lucky? Enter to win a free eBook copy of my erotic gay thriller novella BEHIND THE VELVET CURTAIN. It’s easy, just email me at SFMattConverse [at] aol [dot] com and one lucky entrant, chosen at random, will win a free eBook copy via Amazon. Good luck!

BEHIND THE VELVET CURTAIN by Matt Converse

People have an idea of what being a stripper is like, and they'd probably be wrong. It takes swagger to strip for a room full of men but what goes on in his head might surprise you.

Matt was just a scrawny kid from Ohio who moved to San Francisco in hopes of starting a new life. He cut his hair, started working out, and suddenly he was desirable. But when he was up on stage, he held onto the same insecurities he clung to in his childhood. The stripper façade was complete, but inside, he was still the anxious kid he’d always been. 

 Justin was a young hunk living in the same apartment building. Matt previously would’ve thought Justin was out of his league. But Matt took a chance and approached, and to his surprise, the attraction was mutual. Over time, the off the charts sex began to turn to love, something Matt hadn’t expected.
 

But just when Matt seemed to have everything he desired, a stalker with a twisted obsession appeared with plans to take it all away. Sex sells, what it attracts can be deadly.

Justin was a young hunk living in the same apartment building Matt would have previously thought was out of his league. But Matt took a chance and approached, and to his surprise, the attraction was mutual. Over time, the off the charts hot sex began to turn to love, something Matt hadn’t expected.

But just when Matt seemed to have everything he desired, a stalker with a twisted obsession appeared with plans to take it all away. Sex sells, what it attracts can be deadly.

Amazon buy link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TBPESD0

Comet Press buy links (includes Kobo, Barnes & Noble (Nook) and Amazon UK. http://sexfiles.cometpress.us/books/behind.html

About Matt

San Francisco's hot new author Matt Converse makes his debut with his erotic horror novella Behind the Velvet Curtain. He draws inspiration from a wide spectrum of influences, from Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King to Lady Gaga. He strives to bring diversity to the publishing world.

Twitter https://twitter.com/MattConverse1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/matt.converse.39

Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, I appreciate it.