Welcome to the Interviews page, I will be interviewing an author or editor every month, so look out for announcements of who will be featured here. This month I interviewed the talented author Lena Austin.

Kyla: Welcome, Lena. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed by me. =) You have just released your story, Berdache with Changeling Press, can you tell us about it please?

Lena: Thank you for having me! It's a Native American-themed tale set in pre-1700 Louisiana, where I explore the legendary Berdache. The shaman Lizard is one of the two-souled ones, a Berdache. He must convince his proud and stubborn childhood friend, the warrior Red Wolf, that he too is a Berdache and to take the shaman training, before Red Wolf loses his mind. It's a combination of Native mysticism and the wildest sex my mind could conjure.

Kyla: Would you like to tell us what you are working on just now and what you plan to try next in your writing?

Lena: I've just wrapped up a novella for Triskelion's Sister O line, a contemporary paranormal with comedic overtones called Eyes of the Cowan. Now I've returned to my beloved fantasies, both using the world of Unicorn Valley. That will keep me occupied until about August. LOL!

Kyla: Tell us what drew you to write erotic romance. Did you expect your career to take off in the way it has?

Lena: I'll give you a little insight into my personality. Don't ever tell me, "You can't do that" without having a very clear, logical reason. Because I will go out and do my best to prove you wrong. I turned to e-publishing because someone snottily told me you can't make money here (wrong!) and that I couldn't write the word "shit" if I had a mouthful. I can, I did, and I have. However, the rest was hard work and the patient application of a board to the back of my head to learn the system and marketing until I collapse.

Kyla: You have written in a number of sub-genres, from Shape Shifter to Contemporary to Paranormal. What is your favourite to write in and why?

Lena: I write whatever trips my trigger at the moment, or when someone challenges me. However, I will always return to my beloved Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal. That covers all the bases I love. I love the challenge of world building. Okay, I also love that slight feeling of megalomania. It's my world, and my rules. (Muahahaha!)

Kyla: Can you tell us who your favourite authors are? Do you have any recommendations about books we just have to read?

Lena: Let's stick with e-books, since my choices of reading in print are fantasy and speculative fiction. I love Lucynda Storey because she always manages to surprise me. Lizzie T. Leaf is a new author who, for the past year or more has made me laugh in short stories, so I'm delighted she's moved into longer works. Khadija Ross is also a new author whose humor will delight you. Kate Douglas and Barbara Karmazin spin tales that leave you breathless and make you forget you're earthbound without being tasteless. Katriena Knights and Willa Okati are when I want naughtiness of the m/m variety. There are so many great authors out there, I could fill the next few pages, but those are my most recent reads. And just wait until you see what Merzi Ross and Marteeka Karland are up to!

Kyla: Please tell us where we can purchase your fabulous books and where we can find out all about your latest news.

Lena: The easiest way to find my books, since I publish with several different e-publishers, is to hit my website: http://www.lena.realmsoflove.com. There are excerpts to help you choose, and links to take you directly to the publisher. Nine out of my ten released books are there, with more to come.

I "play" most often on my Yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LenaAustin. There, I will chatter about what I'm writing or planning to write. Often, I'll involve the members with choosing character names or discussing a plot, so I know exactly what will please the readers. Right now, we're holding a writer's workshop where I'm telling all my writing secrets!

Thank you to Lena for her interview answers. Look out for an interview with author Dakota Cassidy in May.

Watch this space for further announcements of who will be interviewed next.

Kyla