I met Eden Baylee when I entered a short-story contest on Lisa Stull's website. The prompt was for erotic comedy, something I'd never attempted to write. Eden was one of the judges. I won the contest, and a Kindle, but the best thing I took away from the experience was becoming friends with Lisa and Eden. Two of the most generous and supportive authors I know.
Eden Baylee is an intriguing personality who left the banking industry to follow her dream of writing romance and erotica. If you saw this petite, quiet, and unassuming woman on the street you would never imagine the sheer power of her spirit unless you looked deep into her mischievous eyes. Eden is at times playful and hilariously funny, at others stoic and graceful. Yet she is always passionate; in her writing, her friendships, and in her life. That passion resonates in her novellas.
I reviewed Eden's debut work, a collection of novellas titled FALL INTO WINTER here on my blog. This week (July 9, 2012) Eden releases the companion collection SPRING INTO SUMMER. I've already begun reading my advance copy and it is everything I expected and more. My review will post soon. If you haven't read this amazing author's work, you should, and there is no better friend you could follow on twitter or circle on Google+.
Eden is a cancer survivor. As many of you know, my son is battling leukemia. Characteristically, Eden has given wonderful support to me through the past six months. She even raised $10,000.00 to help pay Joshua's medical costs by organizing the Indies Unite for Joshua campaign on IndieGoGo.com. But even before that she supported and promoted my writing tirelessly. Eden does that for all of her friends. She promotes her fellow authors far more than she does her own work. She is one of the most selfless people I've met.
Visit Eden's blog and give her a shout-out on your favorite social network. Pick up a copy of FALL INTO WINTER at your favorite bookstore or on Amazon Kindle, then turn up the heat with SPRING INTO SUMMER on July 9th, 2012. Trust me, you'll fall in love.
Oh Max,
ReplyDeleteI am the furthest thing from stoic and graceful now. I'm bawling my eyes out. Nothing like a good cry into my coffee to start the day!
Thank you for this incredibly beautiful piece. I am so humbled by your words, and will always appreciate the wonderful serendipity that helped cross our paths. One day I'm coming over to give you a hug you'll never forget.
xoxox
eden
Mama always said, "to have good friends, you have to be a good friend." You have a lot of great friends, Eden, because you're the greatest. ;)
Deletexoxox
max
I ♥ Eden and her support for authors!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to both Eden and Maxwell -- I love hearing about authors who help and support other authors . It's the work, the friendships that develop and the shared experiences that bring people together. I look forward to continuing to get to know you Eden and Maxwell in and out of your created worlds. Eden's new book of literary erotica opened my eyes to what looks to be a newer and shinier, thoughtful, mesmerizing take on character and narrative. Spring Into Summer is perfect on a sunny day and scorching on a kindle Fire.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glynis and Justin. Eden inspires us all. The friendships we develop are what makes social media important. It still amazes me that a country boy for North Carolina can have friends all over the world.
ReplyDeleteMax, thank you for highlighting such a wonderful woman. She is definitely an inspiration and a kindred spirit. As are you. I, too, am amazed at how many wonderful people I have come to know. Most of which I've never seen face to face, yet, they are more special, in many ways, than those who I see everyday. The writing/art community has (and continues to) restore my faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it, Max! Eden is by far one of the most amazing women that I have met and I'm proud to call her my friend.
ReplyDeleteMax, you have said what so many of us feel about, Eden. She is loved not only because she is a great writer, supportive friend, humanitarian and guild master, but she is smoking hot! She also has a PPP(you'll have to look that up on her blog).
ReplyDeleteShe is loved and admired by so many and I'm near the front of the line! I have Spring into Summer and can't wait to read!
Glynis, Justin, Lisa, Rob, and Dannie, thanks for not just being great authors, but also supportive and fantastic people. It makes the writing life so much more fun to have people like you and Max in it.
ReplyDeleteeden
xoxox
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ReplyDeleteI love Eden, too. She's great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Casey, you're fab. xoxo
DeleteEden is a GEM!! She is an amazing friend and author!! I too am very grateful to call her my friend!!
ReplyDeleteSolitaire, you are so sweet, thank you for your wonderful compliment. xox
Deleteeden
A lot of love for a lovely lady. Thanks to all y'all for commenting. It's like a who's who of great authors around here. ;)
ReplyDeleteMax, thank you for sharing this wonderful post featuring Eden. I met Eden through a fellow author and my friend Tonya Kinzer. Tonya and I started our dream web site/ blog and what does Eden do.....tweets about us all the time.
ReplyDeleteI love reading Eden's newsletters. I don't always get to visit her blog because I'm so dang busy. Although, her Monday Music post bring back memories when she feature artists/songs from my back in the day.
I met Lisa through another mutual author/friend.
*raises my glass of iced sweet tea* Here's to Eden and Lisa!
Max, my best wishes for you and your family. ~ Brenda Woody
Brenda and Steve, you two are adorable. Thanks for all you do, and for visiting me on Max's fabulous site here. See you at my place this Friday.
Deletexoxo
eden
Thanks for stopping by, Brenda.
DeleteAmazing and lovely, our erotica writing friend, Eden Baylee. What I love about her writing is that it's not just 'wham, bam, thank you, ma'am' but truly literary. Great stories, terrific writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat profile, Max.
Hearts and shit,
Rach
You're fab Rachel, thanks so much for just being you and shit ;)
Deletexoxox
eden
Thanks for the hearts and shit, Rach.
Deletehugs and stuff
max
Max, that's a wonderful tribute!
ReplyDeleteI adore you honey. Thanks for commenting here on Max's blog
Deletexox
eden
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have a quick question about your blog, would you mind emailing me when you get a chance?
Thanks,
Cameron