Just Getting Started

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Just Getting Started

By: N.L. Belardes

Description: HOT STORY! Bakersfield cover girl, 39, makes cover of erotic fiction anthologies

Topics: erotic fiction, cover model, skimpy, book cover, Phaze, Robin Slick, Matildakay, Bakersfield, anthology, sex, Bakotopia
Posted by thenovelist Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:04:52 PDT
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Just Getting Started
Bakersfield cover girl, 39, makes cover of erotic fiction anthologies

By NL Belardes, Bakotopia.com contributor

Robin Slick, who lives in Philadelphia, said she needed a book cover for the Phaze anthology, “39 and Holding…Him.” Not a problem. I would do anything for Robin. She’s a successful author, funny, caring, and supportive of writers—the real deal. You don’t turn down Robin Slick just like you don’t turn down the opportunity to create a book cover.

“It’s an erotic fiction anthology,” she said. OK, that’s a bit more tricky. Definitely racy. Heck, I can do that. After all, I did design the controversial cover of “Lords: Part One.” (It even has a new Lords Of Bakersfield MySpace where photos from the original shoot are uploaded). For that I used a fog machine to create eerie photo texture. I wanted an image of a child to look innocent, sexual, emaciated and ghastly. It helped sell the concept. She’d seen that cover and completely dug it. And so that opened a door for opportunity. That’s the power of networking with the right people when you’re an artist of any kind.

Melinda Carroll

In the case of an erotic fiction book, no fog machine was required. Just lights. Just imagination. Just some sexuality and skimpy clothing. And someone who would look hot in next to nothing. I remember the day very well. I was at this woman’s house. She lay an assortment of lingerie on her bed and I got to choose the outfit.

It was a really hot day and I made sure to take my time and shoot from many angles. The idea was innocence, skin, French, classic beauty—well lit, but in a way that made her look like she slept with the pool boy and got away with it.

I used my wallet in the shoot—made it look like she’d also scammed some milk money.

I knew I should have gone into landscaping backyard waterfalls.

Anyway, a few months later we’re doing it again, only not the it you’re dirty mind is thinking, but another photo shoot—this time for the anthology, “39 and Still Holding.”

I got to choose another outfit for her to wear and a new theme. This time I went for angry, attitude, darkness… Can you growl a little, please? She did.

Let’s step back for a moment and ask what women can do for themselves when turning 40? Should they buy every season of “Sex and the City” and quietly watch from the comfort of their own home? How about a year’s worth of gift certificates for chocolate ice cream from Cold Stone?

Or maybe something more adventurous, deliciously racy, something that can appear in bookstores all across America.

Melinda Carroll

How about I just ask my childhood friend of over 25 years, who happens to be 39, to partake in an adventurous photo shoot. Surely she would appear in a skimpy outfit on an erotic book cover simply because it’s the empowering 39-something thing to do.

I mean, wouldn’t you?

Melinda Carroll, 39, writes the Bakersfield-based Matildakay blog (and also runs an erotic fiction MySpace too). Having a secluded upbringing, the normally quiet and shy Carroll isn’t the kind of person who would normally appear in a skimpy outfit on the cover of a book. “I had to grow into this attitude of empowerment by doing things for myself and finding out what being a woman is all about,” she said.

Matildakay on Bakotopia.com

The book, like the racy photos of Carroll, represents a growing trend of sensual content in pop culture. Erotic fiction trends, according to Publisher Kathryn Lively, have become increasingly popular as such books are no longer kept hidden by book sellers, but displayed prominently in storefronts. “Erotic romances, once relegated to the back shelves of Borders with the sex manuals, are now showcased among the top romance sellers,” Lively said (Read entire interview with Lively on Paperback Writer blog).

Melinda Carroll

Lively said her company Phaze was launched in response to the rising demand for steamier romance fiction in eBook and print. “It could not be denied that readership was becoming more attentive to spicier content,” said Lively. She also suggested that society is “continuously becoming more open as people become more comfortable with their own sexuality.”

Carroll thinks there’s a fairy tale aspect that women have bought into within such literature that correlates to television and women wanting to take control of their lives. As a reader of such fiction, Carroll said, “It’s in some ways related to the typical fairy tale as well as a show like 'Sex and the City.' You have your fantasy fairy tale that you grew up with—the happy ending, everything will work out fine—but you also have the adventures and sexcapades of a “Sex and the City” type show.

The TV show, and such erotic-themed 40-something literature, have their moments of revealing that women, although in their 40s, still have a strong sensual side.

Although Carroll wishes she would have felt as empowered 15 years ago, she said she wanted to show herself as well as other women that they can do what they want. “It’s very tastefully done. I think it (book cover) does a lot to show that women can be independent, strong, empowered at any age.”

“I loved the cover the minute I saw it,” Lively said, who also understands that eye-catching book covers are why people often purchase certain books in stores.. “It's sexy, daring, curvaceous, and simple. Even though the book involves over-40 heroines, the cover seems to transcend age and offer a timeless portrait of beauty.”

Carroll said that women who feel old, depressed or who don’t feel important can take control of their lives. “I think that women need to find something, an outlet somehow to project a good self image of themselves and to believe in themselves and have positive feedback. One way that I am doing that is through this book cover.”

She said being on both covers is a way for her to stay 39 forever. “Actually holding the book and seeing the book and seeing myself on the book was really empowering to say, ‘I did that. That’s me on that book. I look really good.’”

As for more photo shoots in the future?

If they keep asking, I’ll keep clicking away—for the sake of literature of course. Oh and don't forget to read my comedy piece, "The Entertainment Reporter" in the anthology.

Now Buy The Book! And watch for an upcoming book signing at Barnes & Noble!

*Also available by NL Belardes

Story also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 26, 4-17-08

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Comment From: matt

Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:11:40 PDT

Thanks NL and Matildakay! Dizamm, Mel! You got somethin' rockin' under those jeans, yo! Congratulations on the covers!

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Comment From: matildakay

Thu Apr 10, 2008 20:31:58 PDT

You're such a sweetie Matty! *blushing* And Thanks N.L. for posting racy photos of me on Bakotopia maybe I should post your high school senior photo in return! :) Just kidding, thanks for the great article! What's a girl to do? Just go with it!

Seriously though, This book is all about empowering women in their 40''s and I think that is a great thing. So everyone go buy the book and add the book on myspace.

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Comment From: likhy2