As a child, what did you want to become when you grow up?
When I was a child, I wanted to be an author. I wrote my first book on the back of my 8th grade homework. I didn’t know then that I would be writing erotica since my first book was about high school puppy love. I’m not sure when my writing changed in intensity.
As a writer of erotic romances, did you grow up reading romance books?
I did. I read Harlequin Romance books all the time! I enjoyed sinking deep into a story and feeling connected to the sensuality that was present. I thought this was the kind of romance/erotica I wrote about. I had to be told that mine was more intense erotica to be considered a romance.
What are the hidden gems in Columbus, OH?
Columbus is full of hidden gems. It is a great city to live in because whatever your fancy may be, it is happening somewhere in Columbus. My favorite gem is a consignment type bookstore called the Book Loft. There are over 36 rooms of books of ALL genres. You can literally be lost within the books all day. It is a great place to visit. We have a great arts museum and a slew of parks and gardens that make the city very beautiful. COSI is the number one science center in the Country. It is a highly engaging place for all ages. Again, there are many cool places and things to do in the city.
What is the most challenging thing about being a Clinical Sexologist?
The most challenging thing for me is helping people beyond thoughts of taboo and bad stigmas. People are very embarrassed FOR me it seems. At least until we start to talk about things that unravel issues for the person. Then they appreciate what I do, They really don’t know what they don’t know until I say something that clicks with them, and they realize that they are not alone on an issue that they may suffer with.
What encouraged you to become an author of intense erotica?
What really pushed me into my series was thinking that erotica sells, my style of being very explicit and detailed in my storytelling makes my work intense. I wrote letters and short stories and thought about what would happen if I put them all together and created a plot around the escapades. A focus group gave me the final push. They where highly engaged with the sample writings I shared and thought that others would love my work. It was all that I needed to solidify my decision to be so explicit in my work.
Tell us a little about the first book you published and some of the things you learned.
Well because I had written my teen romance and this intense series I decided to start my own publishing house because I was getting feedback from book stores that they would shelve the children’s book but not the erotica or the erotica didn’t fit within their guidelines. I learned that I could put the books out myself and I did that. I learned a lot about working as an independent versus as a publishing house. I built a house in which I had five authors and thirteen titles. It was a long road of learning the process of publishing. The importance of working with a graphic designer and someone who knows Adobe very well. Editors are crucial. Formatting is essential. Overall, the lesson I learned was that I could do it on my own, but I really had to put in all the work.
How did you begin writing the Erotic Snapshots series?
I was invited to write a piece in the Erotic Snapshots series by Anna J. It was a pleasure to come up with a story, it’s about a threesome that takes place randomly. To be asked to be a part of the project was an honor.
What inspired the plot of the book, Maybe She Is Right?
The plot of Maybe She is Right came from a creative spark I had about linking the many stories of escapades together so that it wasn’t going to be rated pornography. I created a character that had a background that led to a lifestyle of hypersexual activities. A ballsy female attorney was created, and her behavior leads her to trouble she never imagined would happen to her.
Are any of your fictional characters based on real people?
I named the character after my pen name. I’m Debra Shade, she is Debra Johnson. While the plot and its twist are fictional the parts of her journals that are erotic are based on my real experiences. All the characters in the book are based on people I have met over my life.
Who designs your book cover? Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?
I have had the most issues with my book covers. It is hard to get a cover that tells the reader what the story is about. It must be appealing and a real eye catcher. However, artwork to represent the erotic nature of my story was hard to land on because of censorship. Maybe She is Right has had three covers. The artwork on Hot Sex on a Platter was censored by CreateSpace and Amazon. My covers where done by local talent. I love to support local artist friends and family and was able to come up with some nice artwork over the years. It is imperative to get a cover that speaks to the story. A cool tip is the color red pops on a cover has been tested to be more appealing. What you put on the back jacket is also crucial to book sells.
What is the best way to host an online workshop?
The best way to host an online workshop is to find a way to make it engaging and holds content that the attendees want to hear. It’s important to keep in mind that as the host, you must find the “hook” that is going to get your audience to participate, to ask questions or add comments. Be sure that you get the link out to your workshop early and in many places. Reaching as many attendees as possible is very important as well.
What are the best things about being a romance book author?
The best thing about being a romance author is being able to toss modern day sex education into the books. Causing people to question what is possible when it comes to a fulfilling sex life. I enjoy telling a story that is not too intense to be enjoyed. My rollercoaster series really brought me joy to write.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
Currently I am a monthly columnist for Sexpert.com and ASN Lifestyle Magazine. It keeps me busy. Please catch up on my articles on line at https://sexpert.com/author/debra-shade/ and https://www.asnlifestylemagazine.com/asn-lifestyle-magazine I really don’t know if there is going to be a book four for Debra Johnson. Depends on what my fans want from next.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
I absolutely appreciate my association with AllAuthor. I featured my book Maybe She is Right and every Wednesday I get banner mockups that I can share on my social sites. I have gotten some traction from readers and I am able to reach an audience I didn’t have access to. It has been a wonderful experience.
