SERIES TOUR - THE VALENCE CHRONICLES
BOOK 1
Book Title: The Fourth State of Matter
Author: D’Arcy Arden
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Jennifer Greeff
Length: 87 000 words / 349 pages
Release Date: May 31, 2021
Genres: Sci-fi, M/M Romance, Menage, Space Opera, Aliens
Tropes: Class divide, Fast burn, Scifi spaceship adventure
Themes: Rebellion, Freedom, Personal discovery
It is not a standalone story, but does not end on a cliffhanger.
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Blurb
Earth is dead. Humanity survives by selling the only resource available—themselves. 2689 has signed away his rights as a living being and become décor, living artwork that rich aliens use to decorate their homes. It's a stable existence but a boring one. Until one day his owner plays host to three unexpected guests. Large, loud, and more potent than anything 2689 has ever experienced, this trio of ship-dwellers from the wrong side of the universe awakens a desire he can't ignore.
However, blissful days of sex and companionship with Brog, Desmodian, and Xavis come to an end when 2689 discovers a plot that could land the trio in jail...or worse. 2689 will have to make a choice—stay silent and allow three innocent lives to be ruined or give up his stable life to protect the ones he loves.
Excerpt
Pet fumbled his drink, creating a clink of glass against glass and spilling pink droplets onto the table’s surface. He had encountered Décor Preservation Services once before, at his first auction, when they evaluated his quality and determined what price to charge his buyers.
“And what does DPS want with us?”
Desmodian sounded too calm, considering the tremor Pet felt running through the hand on his head.
Vige scoffed. “Really? A trio of dirty ship-dwellers running around with one of their precious décor, and you don’t think they’re going to intervene?”
“We’ve done nothing wrong.” Xavis ruffled his feathers again, filling what little space remained in their alcove. “Pet was transferred to us legally. Anyone can check the license.”
In a different situation, Pet would have stroked the feathers back down, but he was too scared to do more than stare dumbly from person to person.
BOOK 2
Book Title: The Use of Heavy Water
Author: D’Arcy Arden
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Jennifer Greeff
Length: 89 000 words / 360 pages
Release Date: October 12, 2022
Genres: Sci-fi, M/M Romance, Menage, Space Opera, Aliens
Tropes: Beach vacation, the past returning, capture, rescue / escape
Themes: Relationships, betrayal, deception, personal strength, communication
It is not a standalone story, but does not end on a cliffhanger.
The books are best read in order.
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Blurb
Décor don’t usually go on vacation, but after their adventure in the Iota Cloud, Pet is looking forward to a week of relaxation on the planet Syzygy, an ideal vacation spot for aliens from all corners of the galaxy.
The fancy resort they’ve chosen isn’t welcoming to ship-dwellers, but defying societal expectations has always been a favorite pastime for Desmodian, Brog, and Xavis.
However, a divide is sparked in the trio when shadows from Brog’s past make an unexpected appearance. Distracted by their conflict, the three are left vulnerable to an enemy who knows their weaknesses.
The trio can’t save Pet this time. It’s up to him to rescue the ones he loves and return them all to their true home among the stars. If he fails, their freedom and maybe even their lives will be forfeit.
Excerpt
Desmodian turned sharply back to Brog. His hand, which had been holding the card, opened and closed as if confused about its sudden emptiness. “What? You’re keeping it?”
One of Brog’s hands held the card, and another gripped Desmodian. That still left two arms free to cross over his chest in a challenging posture. “Maybe. No reason not to.”
Desmodian gaped. “No reason…after what that man did to you. There’s every reason to avoid him.”
The pair stared each other down, Brog with one set of eyes and Desmodian with his whole body.
Pet’s foot slipped over wet rock, and he nearly tumbled off the island. He had seen these emotions on his trio before, but rarely directed at each other. On the rare occasion they fought, it usually ended as quickly as it started. He hoped this time would be the same.
Xavis approached the argument with both wings outstretched. “Hey, guys, calm down. This isn’t worth fighting over.”
Brog let go of Desmodian, practically throwing his hand away. “If he thinks he can make decisions for me, then we got somethin’ to fight over.”
Desmodian’s hammer planted in the sand again, hard enough to sink several inches. “It shouldn’t even be a decision. It should be common sense. Yaivin Vels is the reason you ended up arrested and in Unit 22 in the first place. You shouldn’t want anything to do with him.”
Author Interview
Indie or Traditionally published? - Tell us how this works for you...
I’m published with The Wild Rose Press, an indie publisher that specialises in romance books of all kinds. It has worked out well for me so far and having an editor has really helped me refine my books.
While I plan to continue working with this publisher, I’m also looking into self-publishing other books in the future. I’m excited about producing more original stories, although I’m also nervous for the responsibility of publishing them on my own.
Plot or Pants? Do you pre-plot your books, use an outline, fly by the seat of your pants or some combination of things? How do you keep track of characters in a series? Do you keep a journal of your characters statistics, such as hair and eye color, relatives, hometown, etc.
When I get a new idea, I usually start freewriting and just putting down whatever comes to mind. Then I’ll step back to look at what I wrote and decide if it has enough momentum for a full novel. If it does, then I’ll plot out the whole story and start from the beginning. Sometimes that initial writing gets folded into the final product, but sometimes it ends up getting discarded.
For keeping track of character details, I do write out a “series bible” to keep track of backstories and details. However, I also rely a lot on visual art. I usually can’t write about a character until I’m able to see them in my mind clearly enough to draw them. This artwork is what I turn to when trying to remember physical details about a character.
Tell us about your first published gay fiction/romance
The Fourth State of Matter is a gay fiction/romance that I’ve had published and is the first book in The Valence Chronicles. It’s a fun scifi romp that also includes plenty of sex scenes between the main poly couple.
I’ve had the idea for décor (a person who is also a piece of artwork) for several years. I wanted to write a story that explored the concept of autonomy and what it means to be a person. Then, when I decided to make it an erotica, I found that this concept easily fit into a story about a character discovering their sexuality and rebelling against taboos.
and then your most recent one…
I’ve just recently published the second book in The Valence Chronicles, called The Use of Heavy Water. This time, the main characters are going on vacation, but they aren’t going to be getting the rest and relaxation they were looking for. Past conflicts will return, and more backstory will be revealed as we explore the group dynamic between the characters.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
Writing full time is the dream, but at the moment it’s only part-time. My goal is to get to a place where writing can be my only job, but for now I’m also working as a writing tutor. Academic and creative writing require two very different mindsets and can be hard to switch between. Often on days where I do a lot of tutoring, I have to take some time to decompress before I can turn my attention to creative writing.
Something people would be surprised to know about you…
Despite writing erotic fiction, I’m actually asexual. I’ve had to do a lot of self-reflection to reconcile these two parts of myself. I could write an entire essay on how asexuality and erotica both have an effect on my life. However, to keep it simple, I’ll just say that these two seemingly contradictory things actually do fit together. It’s a contrast that makes my life interesting and gives me a unique perspective on relationships and storytelling, which I hope comes through in my writing.
Which character still pops into your mind to visit from time to time?
My own characters are always bouncing around in my head. Sometimes it seems like the main reason I write is to earn a little peace and quiet.
As for other characters that I’ve read, there are several that visit me from time to time. One pair that makes a frequent appearance is the main characters from the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. The first three books of the series are my favourite, and I’ve read those the most, but I’ve read the whole series several times. I adore the two main characters and how they play off each other. They have a good balance of being very opposite in personality, but their core values match when it comes to the things that really matter. Also, it’s refreshing to read a story where the relationship drama doesn’t get in the way of the story. Even when the two characters disagree about something, they still have each other’s backs. They can set their personal problems aside to deal with bigger issues, and then come back to those personal problems later when it’s appropriate to do so.
Where do you write? Do you have a routine?
Since I’m always carrying a notebook around, I basically write anywhere. From my desk at home, to the local café, to a long plane ride. Anywhere can become a writing space.
My routine, however, has recently changed. I’m naturally a nocturnal person. I prefer to sleep during the day and do most of the work at night. This changed when I started going to the gym more in order to train for competitive weightlifting. The intensive workouts leave me tired afterward, and it’s a lot harder to be creative when I’m tired. There were a lot of nights wasted just staring at a blank page, trying to come up with the energy to form words into sentences. So, I changed my routine to get up earlier in the day in order to write for a few hours before going to the gym, so that I can get some work done while I’m still fresh and not tired.
We’ll see how long this routine lasts. I’m still a natural night-owl, so going to bed early and getting up early aren’t the most comfortable for me. However, for now it’s working. I’ve managed to write more in the last few weeks than I have in the preceding few months. I’ll probably keep this routine while working on a novel, then go back to my nocturnal ways when I’m between projects.
What are your writing goals for the next year? The future?
It’s my goal to publish at least two books over the course of the next year (maybe three if possible). Other than that, I don’t have any specific goals for the future other than to continue producing books of good quality with creative ideas that will entertain my fans. If I can one day reach a point where writing is my primary job, that would be great, but it’s not my main focus. The quality of my work will always come first.
What’s the hardest part about writing M/M romance or erotica?
One of the hardest things about writing M/M romance (or any romance genre) is coming up with characters that have genuine chemistry. I’ve had to set aside a lot of stories that started with a good idea, but the main romantic pair felt like they were only together because I said so. Their relationship didn’t feel genuine, and so they weren’t as engaging.
Sometimes this issue is easily fixed by making a few tweaks to the way a character is portrayed. However, a lack of chemistry between the lead characters is often the sign of a fundamental flaw in the story. So, the story must be either abandoned, or completely restructured. Either way, the story I originally conceived will never see the light of day. As an author, giving up on something I’ve created from scratch can be hard, but in the end, I never regret making that choice. The quality of my work always benefits in the end.
What else do you want us to know about you?
Other than writing and marking artwork, I also spend a lot of time at the gym training for competitive weightlifting. I’ll be participating in my first official competition soon. It’s both exciting and nerve wracking. Wish me luck!
How can we connect with you?
I have a website where I publish basic updates about my writing, and other news about my books and my life as an author.
Blog | D'Arcy Arden: Weathering the Storm (daarden33.wixsite.com)
I also have got a Patreon, which I use as a dumping ground for pictures and short stories that are waiting on the back burner.
D'Arcy Arden is creating imaginative worlds filled with science, magic, and love | Patreon
Who’s your biggest supporter/cheerleader?
My biggest supporter has been my parents. When I decided to change my college major from biology to writing, they didn’t bat an eye. In fact, they seemed to already know I was eventually going to make that switch and were just waiting for me to come to that realization on my own.
They’ve driven me to pitch conferences when I couldn’t make the drive and consoled me after the conference when none of the agents I pitched my work to were interested.
Then, when I decided to start writing erotica, they weren’t surprised by this either and merely asked me questions about what my plans were (like if I planned to use a penname, and if I already had any story ideas).
Many people have this unfair assumption about erotica authors that we are not real writers. Like the inclusion of sex in a story somehow invalidates the quality of everything else. I’m very grateful that my parents have never made me feel this way, and never passed judgement on me for what I choose to write. They’ve been supportive from the very first day and continue to do so even as my career as an author develops in ways they may not have predicted.
What made you decide gay romance was the genre you wanted to write?
I’ve been writing for a long time, and my first published book came out last year. Most of my writing has fallen into the fantasy and scifi genre, and I’ve been a reader of erotica for years. So, I decided to combine the two things I love, and write an erotic scifi. My goal was to merge the two as seamlessly as possible. Plot and erotic content should work together to create a compelling story, and I think I’ve succeeded in that goal.
As for the question why I specifically chose M/M erotica, that answer requires a little more explanation. I’ve always been more drawn to M/M than any other form of romance/erotica. This became especially complicated when I realized I was asexual. These two things seemed like contradictions that couldn’t exist at the same time.
To put it in simplest terms, I prefer stories that include sex scenes because it feels disingenuous when a story goes out of its way to avoid talking about/describing sex, as if it’s not a natural part of life. Yet, at the same time, being asexual meant I felt uncomfortable if I related too much with the character. So, M/M became a safe space for me.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in a lot of different places, and this can create strange combinations. For example, the alien trio on The Valence Chronicles, are partially inspired by the first three states of matter. Desmodian is solid, Brog is liquid, and Xavis is gas. Then the main character, 2689/Pet is the fourth state (plasma). This connection to different states of matter is meant as a symbolic representation of how each character interacts with the world around them.
Along with the states of matter, there is another inspiration that shaped the trio into who they are now. Each of the trio is also partially inspired by a mythical creature. Dragon, mermaid, and phoenix. This is to give the trio an air of mystery, and a feeling that they are “larger than life”.
Mythological creatures and states of matter may not seem like two influences that would ever work together, but I think this unconventional combination has helped create unique characters that readers will remember.
About the Author
D’Arcy Arden grew up in Akron, Ohio, where she attended creative art schools and was surrounded by beautiful country landscape. This combination cultivated an interest in literature, art, and the natural world around her. In college, she earned a Masters Degree in Fiction Writing, which primarily taught her that there is no one way to tell a good story. So, she turned around and went back for a degree in Animation as well. This love for both visual and written stories has given her a preference for stories that are memorable, easy to picture, and, most importantly, fun.
That was her main goal when she started writing The Fourth State of Matter—to provide readers with a fun story featuring the three S’s. Science, sex, and spaceships. It is her first published novel, but only the beginning of a great adventure.
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