Dangerous Waifs, Locked Doors, and Gothic Drama in Space! Interview and giveaway with Becky Black
I’m excited to welcome Becky Black, queen of space travel m/m! The fifth book in Becky’s awesome Travelers series, Travelers #5: Chrysalis Cage, was released last week by Loose Id., and I for one can’t wait to get reading! Becky is also going to be donating a copy of Travelers #5: Chrysalis Cage to one lucky commenter 
Q. You describe your new release as a “gothic drama in space” with elements of a “locked door mystery”! I’m seriously excited – please tell all!
Gothic dramas often have an innocent waif of a character somewhere isolated and in the power of a mysterious, scary, though strangely attractive man. And somewhere there’s a room they must not go into. I’s switched things up a bit. The waif is the one in control and could be a threat. Jarrett, who should be the scary, dangerous one is helpless and there is a room he must not go into. There’s also a ghost – sort of.
Q. What inspired you to become a writer of sci-fi m/m?
I didn’t know the m/m romance genre even existed until a friend on Live Journal reviewed some m/m historical. I’d always liked stories with gay characters. People who are outside of the mainstream of society and walk their own path for whatever reason are always interesting. But this m/m romance was something new to me. Different from gay literature. Different from mainstream fiction with gay characters who tended to come to a Bad/Sad End. These guys got to have a happy ending! I started reading the books and decided to try writing my own. I was already writing at that point, but m/m romance was, I realised, the place for me to be, and that it was time to have a go at submitting for publication. Being a long-time science fiction fan the ideas I get usually fit a futuristic setting. I love the milieu and I love seeing people out in space and living their lives there while dealing with all the same emotional problems we’ve dealt with throughout history.
Q. Please tell us about a typical writing day — if there is such a 
thing — in the life of Becky Black.
I still have a day job – so a typical day depends on if it’s a work day or not. If it is work, I get out of there at 4pm and get home fast as I can to give myself as much writing time as possible in the evening. If I’m especially busy with writing – like during NaNoWriMo for example – I’ll take my netbook to work and write at lunchtimes in the coffee shop. I’ve long ago lost any shyness about writing hot lovin’ there. Anyone who peeks over my shoulder deserves what they get! So I get home and buzz around for a while, until I settle down for a couple of hours of writing. Of course there’s also lots of busywork, website updating, promo, blogging etc to do as well as actual writing. But I do okay, I get it done.
Weekends are like the evening but stretched out across the whole day. Chores and reading and chilling in the morning, then a long afternoon session of writing. Maybe some in the evening if I am dead busy.
But I promise I do go out sometimes too!
Q. Which character(s) from your books would you most like to find as a stowaway on your spaceship? And which least?
Hmm, well Kit the eponymous Stowaway himself would be fun, but kind of tiring. He’s such a party animal that boy. Adam from Higher Ground is a party boy too, but lazy enough to be less tiring than Kit. You know, I’m going to go with Zach from Higher Ground. I like an intellectual man! Least? Aw, that seems so mean! But I’d have to go for one of the broody boys, Karl or Greg from Liar’s Waltz or Alex from Ganymede Tilt, because they’d spend too much time brooding on the Obs deck.
Q. As a writer, what is your ultimate ambition?
I would love to do this full time one day. I envy those writers who can. To have the choice to structure my day the way I want it. To cut out the commuting. To get more sleep… But even if it never happens, just going on getting new books out there and read by people is the main reason I write. Sharing characters and their stories with people. As long as I can do that I’ll be happy.
Q. Any exciting WIPs to tell us fans about?
I’ve got one in the editing phase that’s a bit of a departure – since it’s contemporary. But it’s contemporary after the zombie apocalypse. Love in the time of zombies you might say. And this means I can’t watch The Walking Dead series DVD I have until after I finish this book.
Another is the start of a series, following the same characters though three books as they meet and build their relationship and create their happy ever after. I’m something of a series person. Characters often won’t leave me alone after their book is done. That one should be ready for submitting quite soon. And I have lots of ideas in the pipeline. It’s going to be a busy year!
Blurb: Rebel fighter Jarrett is helpless in the care of Marc, an Earther who considers him a terrorist. Jarrett’s only chance of escape is to seduce Marc before he claims the huge reward on Jarrett’s head.
Jarrett Blake’s escaping from prison after months of torture and solitary confinement, but his bid for freedom ends when his stolen ship crashes into a remote moon. He wakes to find himself with two broken legs and helpless in the care of Marc Satie, a technician stationed alone at an isolated monitoring station. Marc saved Jarrett’s life, but was it an act of mercy or does he want to claim the reward on Jarrett’s head? It’s a big reward—as befits the most wanted terrorist in the galaxy.
Jarrett gradually recovers under Marc’s care and seduces him, hoping Marc will never turn his lover over to the authorities. As time passes. Jarrett begins to think of it as more than a seduction. Marc is beautiful, gentle and kind and Jarrett’s had none of those things in his life for a long time. He wants Marc at his side permanently.
But Marc has a secret and the exposure of it will show Jarrett he’s been in more danger than he ever realized. Marc is not the man Jarrett thought he was. After the truth comes out, Marc proposes a daring plan. If it succeeds they can walk away together as free men. But they have very different ideas about where they’re walking to.
Buy it now or read an excerpt from Loose Id
***
Thanks, Becky! Becky is also blogging today over at Dirty Birdie Authors! Check out her blog on “Why no writing is ever wasted” here.
If you’d like to WIN a copy of Travelers #5: Chrysalis Cage please leave a comment, remembering to include your email when prompted. Your email will not be displayed or retained for any other purpose. There’s also still a chance to win Christmas Magic by Pelaam here. Becky comp. closes 10th February. Thank you for reading
Very much enjoyed the interview. The new books sounds absolutely fascinating, and I’d love to read it.
February 3, 2013 at 9:30 am
It sounds great, doesn’t it? Thanks for visiting, Kath
February 3, 2013 at 5:23 pm
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I enjoyed reading the post. MM stories have become so amazing. Yours sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing and pick me!
February 3, 2013 at 12:34 pm
The variety of MM stories right now is amazing
Thanks for commenting 
February 3, 2013 at 5:24 pm
I’m a series girl, too, Becky, and I’m very glad to be discovering a new one! Keep writing!
February 3, 2013 at 4:36 pm
I also love a good series, and Becky’s has got me hooked
Thanks for dropping by 
February 3, 2013 at 5:24 pm
This sounds fantastic! And it has so many of my favorite elements in it. M/M, space, mystery and it’s a series!!! Okay, I’ll need to go get the rest of the series….
February 3, 2013 at 7:33 pm
You do! It’s awesome
Thanks so much for dropping by 
February 5, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Love the sound of this book! Anyone who can stand a favorite trope on its head, especially in an m/m romance, is someone who belongs on my “gotta read list”!
Off to update my wish lists . . .
~Charley
February 3, 2013 at 7:56 pm
I have to agree there
Thanks for your lovely comment 
February 5, 2013 at 7:51 pm
Sounds like a great book. Please count me in. Thanks!
February 3, 2013 at 8:13 pm
You’re in – thank you
February 5, 2013 at 7:51 pm
Thanks to you both for an insightful interview! This sounds like a great read. Please count me in. Thank you!
February 3, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Our pleasure – and you’re most definitely in
Thanks!
February 5, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for a great interview! I have been a fan of science fiction for 40 years—just can’t get enough
February 4, 2013 at 3:52 am
I got into it pretty young too – I think at about 10/11. It’s definitely a genre I’ll never tire of either
Thanks!
February 5, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Oh~ Enjoyed the interview!
Hmm.. I don’t think I’ll be entering this contest either. I actually already own this book. xD AHa~~
But I do need book 2 cuz my friend lent it to me so I would like to have my own copy of that one but… since I doubt I can switch em.. I won’t enter. :-p heh…
Just wanted to say I enjoyed the interview and I look forward to the WIPs and next in the series (if there is.
) ~~
February 4, 2013 at 8:22 am
Aw, sorry!!! I really hope there’s a contest you can enter soon
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, tho’ 
February 5, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Sounds like a Great read. Count me in please
February 4, 2013 at 12:33 pm
You’re in – thanks
February 5, 2013 at 7:53 pm
An intriguing blurb there.
February 4, 2013 at 8:07 pm
I quite agree
Thanks for dropping by 
February 5, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Pingback: Lord of the Forest (The Greenwood #3) – coming soon! « Kay Berrisford: m/m romance.
Definitely, I’d love to add my name to the hat! Thanks!
~Rush~
taina1959 at yahoo dot com
February 5, 2013 at 10:05 am
You’re most certainly in – thanks
February 5, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Please count me in. I haven’t read this author yet and the book looks great.
February 5, 2013 at 8:20 pm
You’re in – thank you
February 5, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Interesting interview and pretty bookcovers!
February 5, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Sounds very sensual and intriguing!
February 6, 2013 at 8:13 pm
That was a great interview! I love Becky’s writing and it was nice to see a little more insight into her writing process. I especially loved the Stowaway question.
Also, I would love a chance to win the book! It sounds wonderful.
February 7, 2013 at 6:45 am
Pingback: Stumbling Over Chaos :: Lollipops for linkity
Thanks for the mention, Chris
February 8, 2013 at 10:58 am
M/M is my favorite genre. I love the covers of your books…very sexy.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
February 8, 2013 at 10:40 am
What beautiful books and yummy covers!
Please add me for a chance to win.
Sue
corieltauviqueen(at)yahoo.co.uk
February 9, 2013 at 3:14 pm