It’s the fourth birthday for Less Than Three Press, and there are so many wonderful ways to celebrate!
I first submitted to Less Than Three Press during a very emotional, difficult time: my grandfather passed away, and for as long as he’d known I was a writer, he asked every time I saw him if I was getting anything published yet. And for all that time, I continually put him off because my interest was in writing m/m erotica, so there was nothing I could share with my family, or submit to mainstream publishers like Random House.
When he died, it was a serious kick in the pants. All that time, I kept putting it off, and what the hell for?
After confusedly posting this story of my grandfather and how he’d always encouraged me to get published, the lovely Megan dropped me a comment inviting me to contact her about getting published, and said “I think I can help you with that.”
And, oh, wow, did she ever! Not three months later, I was signing contracts and prepping manuscripts for final submission.
My grandpa didn’t live to see the dedication on my novel, From the Inside Out, but he’s still with me, and I’ll never forget what he did for me.
And I’ll never forget what Less Than Three Press and their lovely ladies have done for me, either.
That brings me around, in a roundabout fashion, to the blog tour at last. From April 1st to April 14, assorted authors and associates are hosting entries and giveaways around the theme “the way to your heart.” What’s the way to my heart? I could probably write a half dozen entries…
Today, I’m writing about books.
I became hooked on the printed word when I was ten years old, and discovered a fluent grasp of sustained silent reading. I went eagerly through everything intended for my age group, then kept going. At eleven, I had a vocabulary that was intimidating to my mom and step-father.
Books were my friends, my companion, my escape.
They became a hobby, a passion, a lifelong obsession. I’d go to the corner bookstore across the street and spend hours browsing the shelves, reading summaries and inside cover excerpts, flipping through pages and deciding what was amazing enough to buy with my hard-earned pocket money.
Growing up, my biggest ambition was to be a writer – an author. Such an amazing, lofty goal! The most compelling and incredible thing, to me, was to be capable of creating worlds and characters that people wanted to lose themselves with, the same way I’d done (still do) with the books I became immersed in, myself.
Today I’m going to link you to the Less Than Three giveaways that feature a book. And Friday, I’ll be offering one of your choice from my current catalogue of e-books. Enjoy so many chances to win something I hold dear to my heart!
Megan Derr
Sasha Miller
Julia Alaric
Isabella Carter
Alessandra Ebulu
T. T. Kove
Lacie Archer
E. E. Ottoman
L.J. LaBarthe
M.J. Willow
Mell Eight
There’s more to come! I’ll be making a few more posts on the “way to your heart” theme, and come back on Friday for my giveaway!
Talya Andor 
Your story about your grandfather is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
And thank you for reading it! I appreciate your stopping by. š
I agree with Mell, the story about your grandfather was beautiful! ā¤
My mother's side of the family knows what I write and that I'm published, but I only told them to rile them up. Especially my own grandfather, as he's quite homophobic. š
Books are certainly the way to my heart too! ā¤
Thank you so much! š It still gets me all choked up, I regret waiting so long but it was important to improve my writing.
The older I get, the less I care about keeping what I write from my family! I’m starting to consider just telling them, and yeah, it would probably rile them up.
Books are definitely an instant key to my heart. ā¤
I feel you. I loved my grandma just as much and I feel extremely connected with her. I know she’d probably kick me over the head if she knew what i like to write, but I know she’d support me, in the end. And I knew she’s still with me even if I can’t see her now. So, don’t doubt your grandpa knows you’ve succeeded and he’s very proud of you!
Same, I think Grandpa would be uncomfortable, but still proud of me. š He’d have tears in his eyes if he saw my dedication to him in From the Inside Out. Thank you, it means a lot that you know exactly where I’m coming from!
That’s a beautiful story. Very inspiring.
Thank you so much! š
You brought tears to my eyes…what a moving reason to submit your work. I have a similar story more recently that has inspired me to do some things I’ve been putting off. Very beautiful.
I had to stop and blot my eyes while I was writing the entry! Thank you, and definitely don’t wait. the important things should never be put off for “some day.” Not just for us – but the older people in our lives.
What a fantastic story. Absolutely beautiful. ā¤
Thank you! It makes me sad to think about that, I missed the chance to share my published works of any kind with him, but I’m glad I got to dedicate something to him no matter what. ā¤
Beautiful story, Talya. I know when my mom died, my brothers and I had some epiphanies of our own. There isn’t a day that goes by that I wouldn’t trade the awesome gifts those epiphanies brought for more time with her. But since I can’t do that, I like to think she’d find it the best of tributes that she could help make life happier for the people she loved the most. So, what a wonderful tribute it is to your grandfather that you are living your dream, the one which he supported wholeheartedly.