Lindsay Lees is originally from Los Angeles and holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and while growing up and later in college, she split her time between the two countries. Lindsay earned a B.A. in 2008 from Manchester Metropolitan University, and next an M.F.A.in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts.
The Willing is Lindsay’s debut novel. She currently lives a quiet Southern life with her husband and a houseful of pets.
Visit her website or connect with her at FACEBOOK and GOODREADS.
Title: THE WILLING
Author: Lindsay Lees
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 299
Genre: Dystopian
BOOK BLURB:
In less than a year, fifteen-year-old Gypsy Capone will be considered a woman in Ovoidia, a “utopian” city-state where every woman can be approached for immediate sex by any man, where curving architecture adds weird whimsy, sporks are the only cutlery, and true intimacy between the genders is a sign of suspect subversion. After all, if a woman just plays along, she’ll also do her job and have children, with the reward of a fine home in the “Communities,” where she and the other “Mamas” live together in harmony with everything they need. Right?
The irony: Diam and Isis, the two leaders of Ovoidia, are themselves females. Fun, yes! And just below the surface, perversely sinister. They personally execute these precise sacrifices by women to establish their “happy,” absurdly totalitarian utopia, and are backed up by their chosen army of male “crusaders,” enforcing a crime-free, fully controlled society.
Men are relegated to work in the “City” where they may “enjoy”—right there on the street if they wish—any woman they want and are welcome to satisfy their sexual and emotional needs at establishments called Gaje Clubs where only the most “gifted” among women are chosen to work.
Not surprisingly, in Ovoidia women have evolved until they feel nothing of sexual pleasure. But in Gypsy’s deepest heart, she realizes her own dark secret: she is the exception. Next she discovers to her horror that her secret, if known, could result in the ultimate punishment—genital mutilation.
To save her body and even her soul, Gypsy chooses a dangerous path—to single-handedly confront this scary and absurd world. She has the support of her allegiant sister Sadie and Miles Devine, a rogue, secretly gay crusader, and also “Doctor,” a morally questionable physician to help her. But none of them fathom the levels of paradox, incongruity, and twisted evil they will soon face, and the ride becomes something even Gypsy could have never imaged.
PRAISE
“The Willing is stunning in its brutality as well as its sensitivity! Absolute must read. We all have a piece of Gypsy in us. We must consider our potential future as women now with eyes wide open.”–Amazon Reviewer
“The Willing is an unusually deep commentary on a malignant dysfunction in our society, dressed in fishnet utopian stockings. While the premise and its sensual details push the boundaries of belief, a community that is ostensibly focused on the greater good but is governed by fear and hypocrisy fits perfectly in the dystopian genre. Gypsy’s character is flawed and immature in many ways, but her shield-like honesty is refreshing among a sea of conformists. A rather feminist piece filled with satire on the state of equality, The Willing is weighty and serious in its message, and sad in its reflection of how women are treated in our modern world. For a change from the norm, Lindsay Lees provides a gripping story that will have you thinking deeply about the importance of the relationships in your life.”–Jennifer Jackson from IndiesToday.com
ORDER YOUR COPY
Amazon → https://amzn.to/3k2qbqC
Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/3yIQLZF
Kobo → https://bit.ly/3gujQBr
After your book was released, what was the first thing you did when getting ready for your book launch?
I didn’t have a book launch in the traditional sense. When self-publishing on multiple platforms such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, etc. There are wait periods to be accepted to the websites so they all happened on different days. Once the book was launched on all the sites I took to social media to announce their release.
After that, what was your next step?
From there I contacted blog tour companies to find bloggers interested in sharing the story with their followers.
Did you do anything different to spice up your website in lieu of your upcoming book release?
I created the website for my book rather than a personal site. On the website you can find information about the book as well as my reasons for writing the story.
Did you ever consider using a PR agency to help you promote your book or did you prefer the DIY route?
As this is my first publication I am learning a lot about the marketing side. A PR company is an asset I haven’t chosen to utilize at the minute but may be a possibility considering the advantages to having their services.
Were finding reviews a top priority for you and, if yes, how did you approach that?
I do feel that getting the book reviewed is a top priority. The readers feedback is essential to developing interest in the story. I have chosen to go through the blog tours for most reviews.
What are your views on social media for marketing your book?
Social media is an excellent resource for marketing a book. There’s an overwhelming amount of interested readers and reviewers who love sharing their experience of books they’ve read.
What social media has worked best for you?
Instagram is probably the most engaging site for writers to find readers.
What was the best money you ever spent on your book launch?
Blog tours are a good investment. However they’re all different and will yield varied results depending on the companies you choose.
Any tips for those authors wanting to set up a successful book launch?
Do as much as you can in advance. A book launch has the best chance of success when writers begin working on it several months before the launch.
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