Author Spotlight: Debra Varva

Please welcome author Debra Varva. Deb was one of those who responded to my Unpacking the Case Against M/M series of posts last fall. In passing she mentioned that her first book was coming out in the spring, so naturally, I invited her to do a spotlight. (See what can happen when you comment on posts? LOL) Deb loves to write about power exchange, something I think a lot of us enjoy. Welcome to Friskbiskit, Deb, and congrats on your first published book!

Here's a bit about, New Leather, just out from Excessica yesterday:

Bondage is not journalist Carl Guttuso's thing. He has no need to tie a man up or beat the crap out of him and call it sexy. No one is doing that to him either—or so he thought. During an interview, the charismatic BDSM Dom, James Pauly, asks Carl to be his submissive lover to learn about the lifestyle from within and Carl agrees to a six-week contract.

James has not been romantically involved since his last sub left when James refused to whip him beyond what was safe. In Carl, he sees a second chance to connect with a man who wants more than the pain James can give him. He recognizes the sexual interest in Carl's eyes and thinks the handsome young reporter will be perfect.

Carl is surprised by the desire he feels for a man who admits to subjugating his lovers, but the intensity of the games they play becomes addictive and Carl wants more¾much more. James, dismayed by yet another sub's demands for pain, refuses to be rushed. He hopes to keep Carl past their contract, but it may be all he can do to keep him for the six weeks.

For both men, the arrangement becomes a journey of self-discovery that could tear them apart in spite of their growing attraction.

What gave you the idea for this story?
I belong to a writing group on Myspace called TXT or XXX Treehouse. They suggest a theme and we write something based on that. Last June the theme was BDSM and I wrote a sweet story on two young men who were new to bondage and each other. I liked the idea of "power exchange" so much; I wrote the book about a friend of theirs.

How did you start writing?
Myspace again. A friend started writing f/f erotica and it seemed like such a fun thing to do. I made a secret (not so secret now) profile and started writing m/m. The response was more than I could have hoped for.

If there were one misconception about m/m that you could clear up forever, what would it be?
I am not sick, twisted or a pervert. I do not secretly wish I were a man. The stories have nothing to do with my husband's sexuality. I guess I want people to realize that fantasies are just that.

If you could change one thing about the publishing industry, what would it be?
There is not enough specialty books in the big book chains. M/M is almost nonexistent. Even straight erotica is very limited and thus not readily available if you don't have a computer.

What is your proudest moment as an author?
A straight male friend read one of my m/m stories in my blog and told he had not known gay erotica could be so beautiful.

What kind of impact do you hope your work will have on readers?
I am not out to educate anyone, but if someone is enlightened to the true nature of love by my stories; that would be awesome.

Kirk, or Spock?
Both together. LOL

What have you always wished someone would ask you? Now answer!
What would your mother say about what you write?
She would love it! Everything that is good in me came from her.

Awesome answers, Deb. Here's an excerpt from New Leather, folks. Enjoy!

James Pauly spent most of the previous evening wading through the internet to find information on Carl Guttuso. He was duly impressed. Guttuso managed to make a name for himself as a reliable reporter who took the time to understand his subject matter and get his facts straight. In other words, not a sensationalistic writer of fiction.

That was last night. This morning he was Googling the more personal things about the man. A picture showed a good-looking young man of Italian heritage. The rugged Mediterranean look was one of his favorites and as James was nearing forty, a man of thirty-one was young. The brief biography told him the man was openly gay, a plus, and not involved with anyone. Even better. Perfect for what he had in mind, in fact.

All this flurry of activity was due to a panicked call from Mike yesterday afternoon. It had taken several minutes to convince him that James was not upset over the possibility of discovery. Having a reporter overhear details about his little group was unfortunate, yes, but not catastrophic. The worst-case outcome would be to call the people involved and cancel the next few meetings. A reporter could not investigate what did not exist after all.

James didn't think it would come to that. Everything he read concerning this man confirmed he was a man of honor. Now, it was up to Guttuso to call and allow James to put his plan into motion.

Several years back, after his submissive lover walked out, James wanted to sit down and talk with other Doms in the hopes of understanding what went wrong. As a patron of The Leatherman when it opened in Providence, he thought that would be the place to ask his questions. However, the majority of people who frequented the gay BDSM bar did not share his view of romantic dominance. Weeding through the bar's regulars was time-consuming, but eventually he gathered an eclectic group of people that believed as he did.

James and his new friends began to meet regularly, expressing ideas and concerns. The support of like-minded men and women was invaluable. Unfortunately, he was wasting his new insights on the sub-for-a-night boys that occasionally came home with him. Something more was needed—a challenge.

He smiled when the phone finally rang. He could have called the reporter himself, of course, but he was not in the habit of chasing his prey. He preferred to lure them in. After letting it rattle a few times, he picked up. "Pauly."

6 Comments

Thank you so much for this Jessica.
Anyone who wants to read a racier excerpt can come to my blog on Myspace. You don't have to log in--its an open blog.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=372664027&blogId=534019317

Posted by: Debvarva | May 25, 2010 at 09:03 PM

Don't mention it, Deb. It's a pleasure to have you here.

Posted by: Jessica Freely | May 25, 2010 at 09:57 PM

Awesome interview! I'm a close friend of Deb's (and her editor lol)so I'm very proud to see her touted this way. She's also been kind enough to post some of my stories on her blog site (we've shared her special planet lol). Her stories rule! I urge anyone who reads this story to go to her site and enjoy this rest. It's all about love baby! heheh

Posted by: Darcy | May 26, 2010 at 06:13 AM