This week it’s time to get up close and personal with Shannon West. Discover why she writers M/M romances and her personal feelings about Dominance and submission as well as much more. Feel free to ask questions and leave your comments. We’ll be selecting a winner or two for a few ebook.

Do you use a pen name? If yes (or no), why?
Yes. In the beginning I was still working at a day job and one where my love for M/M and BDSM wouldn’t have been appreciated.  So I found a pen name.

At what point did you decide you wanted to write BDSM/kinky-themed erotica?
After I’d read a few books on the subject. I found it really appealing but didn’t completely understand.  I kept reading and studying to find the answers I was looking for and only when I felt ready did I venture to write anything. This was only after reading a HUGE amount of books and watching videos and doing research.

Was there something that happened to you in your life or career that made you want to begin thinking about writing BDSM/kinky-themed erotica?
Truthfully, there’s always been an interest, but I didn’t know what to call it. Since I was very young, I had this, but didn’t know what to do with it.  I had a partner who was also interested, and we explored some areas of it, but neither of us knew much about it.

Is there one area of BDSM that you tend to write about more? Why do you think that area creeps into your writing more than some others?
Bondage and control, more than anything. No idea why, but it definitely appeals to me. Humiliation play is also a huge turn-on for me, but balanced with care and love.

What have you written in the past that you think your BDSM/kink fans might find interesting?
Taken in Hand, and Taken Firmly in Hand.  The Education of Nicholas. And the latest is Love Taps, my current release.

What is your favorite fetish? Why?
Spanking.  It combines a lot of my hot buttons—control, submission and humiliation play. My latest novel Love Taps explores that a bit.

Do you attend BDSM, kink, or fetish conferences? Or do you attend any other “vanilla” type of conferences? Attending any in the near future you want to mention?
I’ll be in New York in August 2014 at the BDSM Writer’s Conference there.  I attend other conferences like GayRomLit in October of each year and the upcoming Rainbow Conference in Tampa.

For more information visit Shannon’s website