And Your Better Thoughts Are Better Left Unsaid

There is so much going on at the moment, it is difficult to keep it all together. Some more good news came down the pike this week, that I will tell when the time is right. Until then, there are some things I want to share.

First, Best of Best Women's Erotica 2 is now available from both Cleis Press and Amazon. It is an amazing collection and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Anyone who would be interested in doing an Amazon review of the upcoming anthologies Please, Sir or Please, Ma'am (or both) please send me an email at hlchampa [at] comcast [dot] net. I have an enticing proposition for you.

And, finally, I have an event coming up that I want to mention. I will be the featured reader at the Erotic Literary Salon in Philly on February 16th, 7:30pm. You can find out all the information right here. If you are in the area, come by. It should be a really fun night.

So, back to work, these deadlines are getting closer and closer.
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She's Deadly, Man, She Could Really Rip Your World Apart

I promised some good things, and now I shall deliver. My heart is doing a bit of a flip-flop on this one, as I am excited as hell to be a part of this book. Please, Ma'am, the companion to Please, Sir, looks to be a fucking fantastic book. My story, The Crack of the Bat, is included, and might be one of my favorite stories that I've ever written. It came to me like a vision while in the shower, and I wrote it all in one shot. I am so proud of it, and am so glad that it will get to be seen and read by people. It is also amazing to be in such great company with so many outstanding writers. I can't wait to see this book!

So, here is the complete line-up of the book. And, how much do I love this book cover?


Table of Contents

I Live to Serve -Teresa Noelle Roberts
It’s Not Me It’s You -Charlotte Stein
A Charmed Life - Isabelle Gray
A Maze, and Grace - Elizabeth Coldwell
Inside the Pride - Remittance Girl
Modern Major General - Craig J. Sorensen
Mr. February - Madeline Elayne
Frozen - A.D.R. Forte
Thrift Store Whore - Sommer Marsden
Porch Swing -Dominic Santi
Paypig - Michael Hemmingson
The Crack of the Bat - Heidi Champa (There I Am!)
Dressing for Dinner - Giselle Renarde
Living Rough - Ariel Graham
Pick a Color - D.L. King
Houseboy - Rachel Kramer Bussel
The Unhappy Table - Lee Ash
I’ll Do It. For Her. - Graydancer
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There's A Feeling I Get When I Look To The Sun

Happy Australia Day!!!

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Are You Wanting Inspiration?

Seriously, can someone tell me where my week went? I swear, just yesterday, it was Wednesday and I was rocking and rolling. Then, I looked up and saw that I had missed the entire week. I'd feel better if I had more to show for it, but I feel like it was all sound and fury signifying not much. There are some good things on the horizon, which I will talk about later in the week. But, for now, it's nose to the grindstone time.

I take but a mere moment to look at my Man Candy and mention to anyone who has Ovation TV, next Sunday, the 31st, they are re-airing a wonderful little mini-series called Lost in Austen, about a modern girl who ends up inside the story of Pride and Prejudice. It is part of something they call Tall, Dark and Classic. So worth it. I watched it on Saturday and fell in love.

Now, where did I put that muse?

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'Cause I Don't Want To Go Under, It's Only Just Begun

On my way out of town for the day, but just wanted to mention that Coming Together: Into the Light is available today at All Romance E-books. All proceeds from the sales benefit V-Day, the campaign to end violence against women. Check it out and check out this great line-up.

TOC

Introduction (Candida Royalle)
A Compromising Position (Saskia Walker)
Doesn't Matter (Celia Kyle)
Far From Ordinary (Jenna Byrnes)
Foundling (Brenna Lyons)
How Paradise Comes to the Blind (C. Sanchez-Garcia)
Involuntarily (Jeremy Edwards)
Jake (Alessia Brio)
Past or Present (Heidi Champa)
Samers (Gregory L. Norris)
Sand and Steel (Shanna Germain)
Smut Puppy (Allison Wonderland)
Staying Cool (Michelle Houston)
Take Off My Clothes (Nobilis Reed)
The DoubleDare Hotel (Will Belegon)
The Feast of the Epiphany (Jean Roberta)
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One Little Emotion So Easily Read

Productivity is a funny thing. Sometimes, I feel like I am accomplishing so much so easily. The next day I wake up and I feel like I can't do a thing. It truly sucks sometimes, and until I come up with a better plan, I just keep pushing up against the wall making myself do something. Motivation, why are you such a fickle bitch?

On a more positive note, I just got final approval and the table of contents for an upcoming anthology I'm super-excited to be a part of. Girl Crush comes out in the spring, and I'm so happy to be included in this book. And, the cover is way hot. Check out the line up, right after you finish digesting your Man Candy. Yum and yum.

Table Of Contents

Introduction - Diana Cage

Great Lengths - Rachel Kramer Bussel

Mirador - Teresa Lamai

Craving Madeline - Shanna Germain

Call Me Cleopatra - Gabrielle Foster

Skinny Dipping - Angela Caperton

The Things I Can Do For Her - David Erlewine

I Told A Stranger All About You Yesterday - Vanessa Vaughn

Cut & Dry - Heidi Champa (That's Me!!!)

Cecily - Kris Adams

The Leopard Print Menace - Melissa Gira

The Bachelorette - Julia Peters

Girl in a Gorilla Suit - Lori Selke

The Out-of-Towner - Delilah Devlin

Rebel Girl - Kirsty Logan
The Best Kind of Revenge - Geneva King

One Eighty - Carrie Cannon

Running Away and Running Home Again - Annabeth Leong

An Introduction - G.G. Royale

Seduction by Proxy - Evan Mora

Discovering Donnie - Cheyenne Blue

Good Neighbors - Jennifer Geneva

Girl Crazy - Gina de Vries

Psychology 101 - R. Gay

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You Can Take Me Where You Will, Up The Creek And Through The Mill

More love from the Well Read blog today. In the wrap-up of the Mistletoe Madness collection, my story was ranked Number 4 of the Top 10. Not too shabby. Read the whole post here and check out who else made the cut.

Back to work, enough of the internets for now.

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You Can Have It All But How Much Do You Want It?

Weekends should be that fabulous all the time. Good friends, good food and some quality time with the family. I rediscovered my magical abilities. It's amazing what spending time with a two year old can do for your self-esteem. Yup, it was just about perfect, I think. And, my hair looks fantastic again. I feel back to normal.

Plus, on Sunday, I got some more good news. My story, Cold Turkey, was accepted into the Coming Together: As One anthology. The menage-themed book will be out in April and all proceeds go to ONE, the campaign to end global poverty. Hey, who says smut can solve the world's problems?

If you have time today, head over to Jeremy Edwards' blog and check out his book release party. Join in on the fun for a chance to win a copy of the book, Rock My Socks Off! I'll meet you there! Just as soon as I'm done oogling the Man Candy. It may take me a few minutes.

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I’m Gonna Tell Old Trouble, He’d Better Be Moving On

Sorry I've been a little missing in action lately. I'm trying to be more productive and surprise, surprise . . . it's working. I have a lot on my plate, but for the first time in months, I am actually ahead of the game. But, the blog has suffered a bit, so I decided to give it a little attention before I head to the mothership for the weekend.

There are some exciting things coming up on the horizon that I want to mention. First, Coming Together: Into The Light will be available on January 18th in both print and e-book, with all proceeds benefitting V-Day. It contains my story, Past or Pressent. Then, the Best of Best Women's Erotica 2 will arrive on February 1st. It is already available for pre-order, and features an amazing lineup that includes Kristina Wright, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Saskia Walker, Donna George Storey and Alison Tyler. Not bad company for my story, Amy, huh? As well as all those lovely ladies, it is edited by the one and only Violet Blue.

And, I'm very excited to announce that I'm going to be reading at The Erotic Literary Salon in Philadelphia in February. The event is Tuesday, February 16th, and I will be reading a new piece devoted to Valentines Day. So, if you are in the area, and want to spend an evening listening to some hot erotica, come on by. I'll be the one up front, by the microphone.

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See Her Picture In A Thousand Places, 'Cause She's This Year's Girl

Ah, the first Man Candy of the New Year. I always love this time of year. The idea of starting everything over, getting a fresh piece of paper to write on, a blank slate to cover with chalk marks. Despite my lack of true resolutions, I do have goals and plans for the next 12 months. I have, in fact, dubbed 2010, "The Year of Heidi." What that officially means, I'm not sure yet. But, it sounds good, doesn't it?

So, if you'll excuse me, I need to get a move on.
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May We All Have Our Hopes, Our Will To Try

It is truly hard to believe that another year is already over. 2009 has been a pretty good year, all things considered. You can't get through a whole 12 months without some serious crap along the way, but in the grand scheme, compared to what others have gone through, my year was a breeze.

I'm so ready to tackle 2010 and see what the New Year will bring. 2009 was a good year for me professionally, as my publication rate increased by 50%. But, as with most things in life, I want more. And, if the gods smile upon me, 2010 just might be my year.

Thank you to everyone who's read the blog, read the stories, and been so supportive along the way. I wish all of you a wonderful and prosperous New Year. See you on the flip side!

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I Read The News Today, Oh Boy

There is a kick-ass review of my story, Holiday History, at Well Read today. Needless to say, I'm chuffed!! Here is the whole review.

Holiday History by Heidi Champa

Kevin's future is turned upside down when his father gambles away his college fund. Reduced to being an assistant to a painter and decorator, Kevin makes the best of his life as he scrimps and saves so he can go back to college and finish his degree in nautical history. Just before Christmas, Kevin's boss, Tim, gets them a job at a large house owned by a rich and lonely man, Gary.

Likes: I really liked Kevin. He was making the best of a situation which wasn't of his making and despite being from a rich a privileged background, he never looked down his nose at the blue collar, Tim.

Dislikes: Not much to dislike here, other than I wanted it to be longer as the ending was a little sudden.

Overall: This is my pick for the week, a cute story about how love can find you when you least expect it and change your life for the better.

Grade: Excellent.

You can check out reviews of the other Dreamspinner Mistletoe Madness stories and many other books at the site. I'm back to work, with a little extra spring in my step!
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So Goodbye, Sweet Appetite

I'm seriously thinking of never eating again. After all the over-indulging I did over the weekend and during the Christmas festivities, it might be in my best interest.

Despite my food binge, it was a great time. It was great to see everyone and get a few presents along the way. Now, I'm ready to get back down to it. Well, so I think, anyway. Time will tell.

The only candy I'm allowing myself this week is Man Candy. Less calories that way.

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I Don't Want A Lot For Christmas, There's Just One Thing I Need

So, it's Christmas Eve, and that means 11 Pipers Piping is the featured Ravenous Rendezvous Christmas story today. It is just 99 cents and festive as hell. So, before you fall into too much Christmas spirits, check it out.

I also want to take the chance to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May it be wonderful, magical and fun. I hope Santa is good to you all and brings you everything you want. Fess up, have you been naughty or nice?
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