Look Who’s Going to RT: Sharon Page

Sharon PageCan you introduce yourself to my readers a little?
I’m really thrilled to have the chance to do this. I’m Sharon Page, author of fifteen historical romances. Some of my books are very spicy and erotic, some are sensual. I write both Regency historical romances and paranormal romance—for those, think “vampires meet Pride and Prejudice”. I was first published in e-book in 2004, then sold to Kensington Publishing for their brand new Aphrodisia line of erotic romances. It was very exciting to get in at the beginning of the line: within one month, Kensington had bought six books from me.

I am delighted to say that readers put my first sensual historical, The Club, published by Dell books, on the USA Today bestseller list. Two of my erotic romances with Kensington—Sin and Blood Red—have won the National Readers’ Choice Award. I’ve been a four time nominee and two time winner of RT BOOKreviews Reviewers’ Choice Award.

Learning more about the craft of writing fascinates me so I enjoy going to author’s workshops, reading books on writing, and attending conferences. I also love the research aspect of historical romance. Research has led me to read many unusual and diverse books including the biography of a blind world traveler in the 1800s, histories of vampires, and books on 18th century surgeons.

Right now I write full time, and I have two kids who keep me busy when I’m not writing. Fortunately my husband is a great cook and takes care of the meals. I get too distracted by stories and tend to forget things are on the stove.

I can be found at: website

Can you introduce us to the world that you have created?
What if, in the world of Regency England, vampires and other paranormal beings secretly existed? Beneath the glittering world of Society balls there is a dark world of vampires and slayers. At a ton ball or in the dark alleys of London’s slums, you might encounter a handsome, seductive vampire duke. My vampire slayers are independent young women very much like Lizzie Bennett. The slayers belong to a mysterious group called the Royal Society for the Investigation of Mysterious Phenomena.

Since vampires are immortal, my vampire heroes have different pasts. My books Blood Red, Blood Rose, and Blood Deep feature two heroes. In Blood Red, the heroes are twin vampire brothers: the eldest is an earl, the younger one is the bad boy. In Blood Rose, the heroes are vampire hunters—one is addicted to a mysterious vampire drug, the other is a dedicated scientist—but in their hunt for a vicious vampire, they are caught by the villain and turned. My heroes in Blood Deep are very old vampires. One is from ancient Rome, the other from Saxon Britain. They are the villains of the first two books, so Blood Deep asks the question: Can the darkest vampires be redeemed by love? Blood Wicked, an RT BOOKreviews Reviewers Choice Nominee, features one delicious hero, vampire Heath, the Earl of Blackmoor, who is cursed to transform into a murderous demon if he makes love to the same woman more than once.

My next release is Blood Secret, coming out March 27, 2012. Sinjin, the Duke of Greystone is a vampire and dragon slayer. Blood Secret brings shape-shifting dragons into my Regency paranormal world. Sinjin was transformed into a vampire so he could battle shape-shifting dragons for eternity. He is sworn to kill the entire species, including my heroine, Lucy. Unknowing, she goes to him to offer her innocence in return for her brother’s gambling debts. Sinjin believes her dragon clan have kidnapped his nephew. He must seduce the truth from her, then he must destroy her—or will love make him break
his vow?

Will this be your first RT or are you a veteran? Any advice for those who are going for the first time?
I have gone to RT every year since 2006, so I guess I am a veteran. It is the one convention I would never miss. RT is a wonderful party. It is like getting together with a thousand of your closest friends, and you all get to talk about the books you love. RT is very welcoming. What I love most is that there are events going on all the time. You have to just show up and you will meet people and have fun. I love the evening parties for that reason. I also enjoy RT’s workshops because there is such a broad spectrum of genres and styles of workshops, everything from historical romance to mystery and thrillers. There are craft based workshops, hilarious panels, and fun reader-orientated games and panels.

For a first timer there is a session for the “RT Virgin” and I think that is a good one to attend. I highly recommend attending the mixers and evening parties. There are lots of events during the day, so if you are not interested in writing craft, you can find reader events to attend. The evening parties have themes so you can go in costume. It’s not mandatory, and it’s fun to check out all the outfits. If you enjoy masquerades and costuming, you will have a lot of fun.

Are you speaking on any panels during RT? Are there any you are looking forward to?
I’m the Captain of the Erotic track for the genre workshops, which means I’m in charge of the two erotica panels. The first is “What’s Your Preference?” (Wed. 2:15-3:15). In this panel, the hottest erotica authors today dish on writing erotic romance. Push your boundaries and find out what works, what’s hot and how new opportunities are opening up the erotica world. “What’s Hot Now” is Thurs, 2:45 to 3:45. Want to know where erotica is going from here? Get the scoop on the genre from editors, authors, and an agent. Learn what editors are buying. Find out if it is easier or harder to break into the erotic romance market today—and what it takes to break out.

I usually make my plans on workshops when I arrive: there are so many great ones, it is hard to choose. I try to go to ones that aren’t in my genre. One year I attended a lot of thriller panels and learned, from the expert authors, how to create villains.

If someone were wanting to meet up with you at RT, who should they look for?
I’m the Captain of the Erotic track for the genre workshops, which means I’m in charge of the two erotica panels. The first is “What’s Your Preference?” (Wed. 2:15-3:15). In this panel, the hottest erotica authors today dish on writing erotic romance. Push your boundaries and find out what works, what’s hot and how new opportunities are opening up the erotica world. “What’s Hot Now” is Thurs, 2:45 to 3:45. Want to know where erotica is going from here? Get the scoop on the genre from editors, authors, and an agent. Learn what editors are buying. Find out if it is easier or harder to break into the erotic romance market today—and what it takes to break out.

I usually make my plans on workshops when I arrive: there are so many great ones, it is hard to choose. I try to go to ones that aren’t in my genre. One year I attended a lot of thriller panels and learned, from the expert authors, how to create villains.

RT Chicago

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.