Guest Post and Giveaway: Hotline by Quinn Anderson

Hello, everyone! This is Quinn Anderson, author of the Murmur Inc. series, and I’m here to share some inside information about, Hotline, coming out October 31st. Stay tuned to hear about where I get my ideas, writing comedy, and how I went “undercover” as a sex worker to research my novels. Leave comments on the tour posts for a chance to win a $10 Riptide Publishing gift card!

Five Fun Facts about Hotline 

1) Zack’s name was originally Jake, but I had to change it because it was too similar to John. I couldn’t change John’s name because it was too integrated into the plot (plus, I made a terrible pun about it in the beginning. John. Sex work. Get it? I’ll show myself out.) Also, funny enough, his dog, Ziggy, was originally named Jefferson. Not even my editors know that! I changed it when I was maybe a third of the way finished because I realized Zack wouldn’t name a dog Jefferson. So, they both went from a “J” name to a “Z” name independently of each other.

2) I toyed with a lot of title ideas before I settled on Hotline. I thought about 1-800-Hot-Guys and Murmur Inc. (which ultimately became the series name), and the incredibly-literal Dirty Talk. But ultimately, I can’t resist a good (bad) joke, and so Hotline was the winner.

3) There was originally a sequel! That’s right, Hotline had a sequel that I titled Hangup, so for those of you who wanted one, you very nearly got one. BUT, by the time I finished actually writing the damn thing, we all agreed Hotline was just fine on its own.

4) Originally, the “first time” sex chapter was over 10,000 words long. We shaved it down a bit in editing, but it still clocks in at over 7,000 words. I wanted to be thorough.

5) I have never set foot in California in my life. In order to write a book set in L.A., I spent days on Google Earth street view, squinted at scans of bus schedules, and even went into chat rooms to find people who lived there. They were the biggest help when it came to figuring out what the city looks and feels like. A native who read an ARC of Hotline actually contacted me on Facebook to say my book made her homesick and that she wanted to know which part of the city I was from! It was a huge compliment.

About the Book

Zack never intended to become a phone sex operator, but with half a college degree and a smart mouth, his options were limited. It helps that he has a knack for thinking on his feet and a willingness to roll with whatever his clients throw at him. Sure, he gets his fair share of creeps and unconventional requests, but it pays the bills, and he’s in no danger of breaking his one rule: never fall for a client.

Until a man named “John” starts calling, and Zack finds himself interested in more than a paycheck. It’s not just that John has money, or that his rumbling baritone drives Zack wild. He’s everything Zack isn’t: educated, poised, and in total control of his life.

A twist of fate brings them face-to-face, and now that they’ve seen each other—and spent an unforgettable night together—they can’t go back to the way things were. A sex worker and a trust fund brat . . . It’s like Romeo and Juliet, but with less stabbing and slightly fewer dick jokes. Hopefully they can pull off a more successful ending.

Hotline is available from Riptide Publishing.

About the Author

Quinn Anderson is an alumna of the University of Dublin in Ireland and has a master’s degree in psychology. She wrote her dissertation on sexuality in popular literature and continues to explore evolving themes in erotica in her professional life.

A nerd extraordinaire, she was raised on an unhealthy diet of video games, anime, pop culture, and comics from infancy. She stays true to her nerd roots in writing and in life and frequently draws inspiration from her many fandoms, which include Sherlock, Harry Potter, Supernatural, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Buffy, Marvel, and more. You will often find her interacting with fellow fans online and offline via conventions and tumblr, and she is happy to talk about anything from nerd life to writing tips. She has attended conventions on three separate continents and now considers herself a career geek. She advises anyone who attends pop culture events in the UK to watch out for Weeping Angels, as they are everywhere.

Her favorite television show is Avatar: the Last Airbender, her favorite film is Tangled, and her favorite book is Ella Enchanted. She can often be spotted at conventions, comic shops, and midnight book releases. If you’re at an event, and you see a 6’2” redhead wandering around with a vague look on her face, that’s probably her. Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling, Gail Carson Levine, Libba Bray, and Tamora Pierce. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending too much time on the internet, screwing the rules, finding the Master Sword, guided falling, consulting for the NYPD, guarding the galaxy, boldly going, and catching ’em all.

Connect with Quinn: Facebook || Tumblr

The Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Hotline, one lucky winner will receive $10 in Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 5, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!