Back on “Night Shift” – April 13th from JMS Books – #GayFiction

Coming April 13th from JMS Books, the 2024 edition of “Night Shift”, a slice of life novella, contemporary gay fiction. It’s all new sequel, “Landing” is in the works!

Interested in a review copy? Just contact us!

LONG BLURB:

To escape a troubled home, Jamie works the night shift at a box store along with a rag-tag group of punks, war veterans, and bickering couples. He’s unsure what direction he wants to take in life until a mysterious new co-worker arrives.

With his long ponytail, faint accent, and quiet manner, Derrik manages to disturb or fascinate everyone, not just one pint-sized Southern boy who wants to escape his boring life.

Jamie finds himself falling for Derrik, and recognizes mutual attraction, but will the secret the older man harbors end the dream of a happily ever after?

SHORT BLURB:

While working the nightshift at a box store, small town Georgia boy Jamie dreams of gay freedom through escape to Europe. When Derrik, a handsome new co-worker from abroad joins the crew and takes an interest in him no less, Jamie starts to believe his dreams may come true, yet a secret the older man holds may ground that flight before it ever takes off.

One liner: A Georgia boy tired of small-town life. A handsome newcomer, foreign and mysterious.

Keywords: secret romance, young protagonist, slice of life, southern US setting, older protector, undercover operative

EXCERPT:

Jamie was really quite attractive, Derrik mused, as he watched the young man enter the restaurant. Instead of immediately signaling him over to the far corner table he’d chosen, which was partially hidden behind partitions but had a clear view of the front door, Derrik enjoyed observing: looking from side to side with a slightly worried frown on his smooth brow, Jamie scanned the room, lower lip caught lightly between his teeth. With a grinning slice of guilt, Derrik finally raised a hand to signal the young man over. Derrik’s heart fluttered when Jamie’s blue eyes lit up after spotting him, a smile spreading across the open, trusting face.

Those at the store who seriously gave Jamie a hard time or dismissed him as a poof were either affected by his almost androgynous beauty or simply jealous, Derrik decided. The fellow college students who teased Jamie in a condescending way were idiots. He’d quickly learned that, for all Jamie’s bright-eyed innocence, it fronted a quick and agile intellect. With experience and time, no doubt Jamie would gain the confidence to express himself more ably and lose some of his naïve air. Hopefully, however, he would never lose his honest and gentle nature.

By the time Jamie arrived at the table, he appeared to have settled somewhat, though curiosity still shone in his vivid gaze. Pulling out a chair and sitting, Jamie fidgeted for a few moments, before leaning forward with his arms crossed on the table.

“Hey,” Jamie replied to his greeting, looking up from under feathery bangs slanting across his eyes. “Sorry I’m late.”

Derrik wondered how people got their hair to fall just right, in that kind of romantic style, his never would achieve even if he desired it. His hair was too unruly and contrary unless it was the length he had it now or clipped very short. Jamie’s hair framed his face perfectly, giving him a pert, wild look that, when combined with the blush across the wide cheekbones, suggested being windblown in some artic region of Scandinavia instead of stuck in this overheated nether hell of the southern USA.

“You’re not late. Thanks for coming,” Derrik said. His admiration must have shown in his eyes, for Jamie flushed deeper, looking down.

“Um, so why’d you want to meet me?” Jamie asked.

“I wanted a chance to get to know you outside of work. There’s always someone watching there or snooping around.” Jamie’s blue eyes flashed up to his, slight wariness and puzzlement in equal measures. “And—and I thought you wouldn’t mind.”

“No,” Jamie hurried to say, “no, I don’t mind at all. I’m glad. I’m really curious about you, personally that is. I guess I’m surprised you don’t mind being seen with me at a public place considering…what most people think about me.”

Derrik knew the likely answer but wanted Jamie to say it aloud to be completely sure. “And what do they think, Jamie?”

“That I’m gay,” Jamie said in a low voice, nails lightly working at an arm. “That…”

“Are you?” Again the quick questioning glance, but the young man answered. “I…I think so, I mean…yes, though I’ve only just once…” Jamie stammered, making a comical sound of annoyance at himself before concluding with a little spark of defiance. “Yes.”

“I don’t mind gay, Jamie. No one should,” Derrik said, wanting to reach across and give a reassuring touch. “And remember, don’t let anything they say or seem to think bother you. I’ve not known you as long as them and I think you’re very okay just the way you are.”

The tenseness in Jamie’s shoulders relaxed along with his tightened knuckles. Their eyes met and held. Jamie’s curving lips parted. Derrik’s glance was drawn hungrily to them, early morning desire rearing its carnal head. Clearing his throat, Derrik picked up one of the menus.

“Lieutenant’s Love” – 2024 Version – #NowAvailable from JMS Books LLC #Gay #HistoricalFantasy

Today, March 16th, “Lieutenant’s Love” will be available again through JMS Books LLC. It’s a historical fantasy of loss, love & war first published in 2010, and my very first work released by a traditional publishing house.

Its genre is #gayromance, with tags of battle scenes, #gaymilitary, secret love, and heroism. Heat level is mild, as my focus especially in shorter works is the characterization and relationship… and keeping it a love story.

Blurb: “A heart-broken veteran weary of war. A young recruit with nothing to live for…”

Description: “Lieutenant Jarryd Alyt has given blood and soul in service to the Duke, yet suffering the loss of a beloved companion and best friend drives him near the brink of despair. Disillusioned though still loyal, when new recruit Arin arrives, Jarryd is struck by the youth’s innocence and beauty. But will the horror of war strike before Jarryd summons the courage to love again?

*****

While working with the editor after all this time, I reflected on the character descriptions, backgrounds and details I had created, from the perspective of someone who has discussed and criticized BIPOC representation issues in western society for over a decade. Stereotypes, troupes, i.e. the one dimensional stoic Native, the comedy relief or angry/saucy Black person vs. the heroic/innocent Anglo, or one who might be “evil” but rationalized. Many complainers conveniently skip over the fact: we are not and have never said someone from outside an ethnic group, culture or reality should not write about those “others”. We said accurate, informed, nuanced, multi-faceted representations of those others is the key, yet society and publishing continues to be awash in one-dimensional characterizations of BIPOC, GLBTIIQ2S, dis/abled people or other marginalized or minoritized folks used only as vehicles, props and troupes.

One thing I almost always include as an important detail of main characters whether in fantasy or contemporary settings, is someone of mixed ethnicity. This represents my reality. “Lieutenant’s Love” is no exception. BIPOC aren’t the only ones who may have mixed cultural heritages that can greatly affect their identities and lives. But there we go. This kind of thing is compartmentalized and viewed negatively in Germany and western society in my experience, writing across genres. But I am multi-faceted, too. I can compile and write research reports on critical societal patterns and history, and also tell a rocking love story. After all, my knowledge of psychology, my life experiences, travels, triumphs and failures are what I know helps me create better characters and stories that speak to real life challenges.

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** If you are interested in a review copy for your website or group, please let me know or contact JMS Books LLC directly. In the next months, a few other of my best works will also be re-released, as well as their sequels and other new novels both in fantasy and contemporary genres.

** I am also open to interviews, as it’s been several years since I worked directly in fiction writing. I’ve mostly been a technical writer, editor, documentary filmmaker, and a psychology expert and researcher on issues including intergenerational historic trauma, suicide prevention, and GLBTIIQ2S/ gender expansive support and needs, for which I received an award scholarship in recognition of my service in 2023.

BookLaunch – “Varied Spirits – An Anthology” – A Gathering of #Transgender #NonBinary #TwoSpirit & Other Voices

Now available! Published on 31 March 2023, on the Transgender Day of Visibility, even as countries and governments like the USA continue to allow violent attacks, discrimination and organized oppression and legislation to destroy rights and lives.

Varied Spirits Anthology – Volume 1 (31 March 2023), in print  or on Kindle. 50 pages, English.

Published by Flying With Red Haircrow.

Contributors include Ana Oihan Ametsa, Vyacheslav Konoval, Hexe Fey, Dana Ravyn, Kat, C.S.W. Henry, Rachel Andeen, Lara Holy, Folami Bayode and Fierce Grandmother, from the countries or unceded territories of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, Germany, and the UK. Edited by Manuel Ricardo Garcia and Red Haircrow.

Length: 50 Pages
Format: Softcover on art paper
Art & Text: Color and Black/White
Size: 148 x 210 mm

 

There are two things that we ask in releasing this anthology:

1) Please be inclusive in your support and advocacy. Genderfluid, nonbinary or trans*women, and trans*men, and trans-masculine people, but especially BIPOC and ethnicities that have been minoritized and marginalized, continue to experience the least support, acknowledgement and protection even from advocates and their LGBTIIQ peers as racism, stereotypes and white supremacist ideologies and behaviors prompt lateral violence.

2) Please understand this is an anthology produced from our personal time and limited funds in these (post?) Corona Pandemic times. But we did so because we believe “Varied Spirits” adds to the critically needed dialogue and understanding of persons who have been important parts of our societies and communities since time began. For those who can, consider gifting the volume to others who may not currently have the extra paper.

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 “Varied Spirits” is a poetry, prose and art collection focusing on writers, artists and creatives who identify as transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender-queer, trans-feminine, trans-masculine, or other self-identifying terms both ancient and historic, and Native/Indigenous persons who identify as Two-Spirit.

Description: “We live in societies designed to crush our bodies and spirits, that seek to compartmentalize and confine us in every way, especially into heteronormative roles and bodies although gender, sexuality, even intelligence are naturally on a spectrum.

Variance, the state of being varied, is often seen as negative. Yet skills such as adaptability and variability helped our ancestors survive, and today are essential in gaining and maintaining balance, well-being and mindfulness. Being trans and/or also part of other minoritized or marginalized groups adds extra challenges for being accepted as who you are, of just living your life, of feeling safe in society, in your home, in your body.”

This anthology is a gathering of the dignity, the sacrifice, and the beauty of our lives, loves and living. Of our spirits.”

 

Would you like a copy to review for your website, blog or organization? Contact us. 

Free 2-6 Dec 2022, the Global #Ebook Award winner for best #LGBT Novel, “The Agony of Joy”

It’s December 1st, and the countdown to preparing and celebrating Winter Equinox/Solstice. I’m pleased and thankful to return to creative work on several novels and game development projects while I always, of course, remain open and interested in collaboration in a good way. Most in Germany only know me after being compartmentalized for combatting racism, colonialism, stereotyping and so forth, but my first and continuing love is storytelling with themes of struggle, emotion, and healing.

I’m sharing my contemporary novel, “The Agony of Joy”, winner of Global Ebook Awards 2013 Best LGBT Fiction. It will be free 2-6 December 2022.

Description: “Former model turned actor Adrian Lee can barely list age range ’23-29′ on his resumé anymore nor stand his life of empty social events and appearances, meaningless roles and casual partners. When he meets Alexander Skizetsky by clever arrangement of his agent, the enigmatic yet infinitely attractive Russian kindles a little light of hope in his aching heart. Yet even the beginnings of a friendship and love beyond his wildest dreams cannot assuage a life spiraling out of control.

The long estrangement from his devout Irish Catholic parents and family and the dark secrets they all share combine to drive him to the brink of despair, though Alexander is determined to stay by his side. After locking away his own memories of betrayal and loss, the Russian had decided never to love again but something in Adrian spurs the noblest intentions in his formerly jaded heart. Returning in pilgrimage to his homeland, he brings Adrian along on a journey of rebirth, revelation and redemption.”

**Some Reviews**

 

 

“Your story does what good fiction should do. It makes me think, makes me feel, allows me to visit different places, and connect deeply with the characters. It explores real issues that people face….”

“I love descriptive stories that enable me to travel to different places without leaving the comfort of my easy chair. I love using all my senses while reading and getting so totally immersed in a story that the sound of the phone ringing makes me jump. And I love characters so deep that I think about them during the day and dream about them at night.”

“A love story, but not a romance, definitely a gothic feel and one of the most positive portrayals of bisexuality I’ve ever come across in fiction.” –Nancy Ferrer, Outlaw Reviews

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“It is an incredible work! You have been able to channel your memories and experiences, create vivid real characters and make something so beautiful out of pain and struggle is the highest meaning of what I believe art is: transforming hurt and becoming healers.

I’ve never read anything like Agony of Joy. There has never been a story that deals with some of the personal issues you are presenting in such an open way. It is inspiring and liberating and needed.” –Ana Christina Caelen, Sound therapist, Musician and Composer

 

You can read about the award, the background of the story and the writing process, and see some of the places & scenes in Berlin where it was written at this link. A video description of “The Agony of Joy” on YouTube.


“This is such a beautiful Trailer, Red! I truly wish you much success with this book. I truly hope many people read it, especially those who need a glimmer of hope. Looking forward to reading it myself.”

“I am reading the book just now and I can’t stop. Lexx and Adrian are still in Berlin…so curious how the story will proceed, and how they both deal with their past, their different cultural background and their relationship….”

FilmReview: “It Is in Us All” is set in #Ireland but is it #LGBT Representation or Not? Absolutely!

The description of “It is in Us All” was strange and puzzling to me: “a sexually charged boy”. Was the film pornographic in nature featuring an underaged male participant? I wasn’t intrigued by that but decided to watch in order to disprove or better understand why it was phrased in such a way, especially when it is described as including LGBT representation, when being LGBT is again increasing in demonization and falsely attributed to pedophilia by some. I am so glad I watched this film in any case.

The film is set in Ireland, mostly in the countryside, so naturally the cinematography included sweeping shots reflecting the mood of bemusement and extended grief both the main characters and others were experiencing, from past and current tragedies. It’s nothing new in direction to use landscape as representative of emotion or even as a protagonist itself. Hamish Considine, the lead character, is visiting to settle the home and visit the graveside of an aunt when he’s involved in a car accident. His connection to his mother and family has been troubled for several reasons, and this is his first impression of a place he is “from” but lived.

Others have asked how is this LGBT representative when they felt there was no overt discussions or references to sexuality, yet that shows are over reliance on stereotypes, often used by CIS heterosexual directors as interpretations of LGBT people. They may be dependent on overt sexual behaviors to “safely” decide, “Oh yeah, he or she is gay, trans” or anything else so they can stay in their “comfort zone”, as it were, of labeling and compartmentalizing others so they can define (or hide) their own identities, attractions or prejudices. Yet like intelligence, sexuality is on a spectrum.

From the first scene, Hamish, played by Cosmo Jarvis with great skill and in all his mumbling glory (subtitles highly suggested especially if you’re not familiar with Irish accents in general), I immediately sensed someone of probable non-heteronormative reality even if he had not made it carefully but respectfully clear to a female secretary or receptionist at the start of the film that he was not interested in her flirtations in the slightest.

The “sexually charged boy” is seventeen year old “Evan”, the lone survivor of the other vehicle involved in the crash, well-played by Rhys Mannion in representing the simmering desires, frustrations, attractions and love/hate quality for his life, location, and loves as any teenager might have, whether gay, straight, transgender or anything else. But which more often results in abuse, misunderstanding and ostracization, whether community or self-imposed for LGBT youth. In turn, some develop fixations, such as with death and dying, or in manipulations to establish control over others when feeling one has little control over one’s own life.

Young Evan soon attaches himself to Hamish who perhaps represents freedom, success and the “outside” world, of another possible life, but also as an accessory in covering up a critical detail of the crash. Was it an accident or a decision Hamish accidentally interrupted? Hamish in return, shows a desire for connection, of protection, of helping a young man in whom he saw himself when younger, as he might have been had he grown up in Ireland instead of England, where his mother took him.

In Hamish’s interactions with others, and then later with Evan and Hamish together talking to the same people, you can see the pointedly ignored or casually observed acknowledgement of the attraction betwen the two whether Hamish admits it or not. And the townspeople, of course, know more about Evan than the newly met Hamish. Particularly, with men, the priest, the shopkeeper, the barman, there’s always a careful gauging of Hamish’s reactions to revealed information, secrets, both past and present. About Hamish’s own family and Evan and the group of boys he is introduced to, and which Evan is the leader of. There is symbolism, and several scenes and dialogues obviously suggesting diversity of attraction and past behavior.

In the end, I think the “sexually charged” description was heavy-handed and unnecessary, causing misunderstanding of what would be shown, when I found this to be a beautifully shot film with nothing subtle in the suggested explorations, the budding desires and dreams of young men who want to be and do more than what is “acceptable”, but who still have love of the land and history of where they are from. That could be Ireland or anywhere. So absolutely, the title is apt, “It is in Us All”.

Sexuality was only one facet in the relationship of Evan and others, between Hamish and Evan, and why Hamish allowed himself to continue with Evan while he dealt with his own grief and history. I found it to be an excellent representation and example of how an older and younger man may have an attraction to each other, for various reasons, but wisely, carefully, the more mature man takes that age difference seriously, and respects the need for the underage person to experience and explore appropriately in their own way, in their own time.

I found the film gorgeous, and the story heartbreaking and courageous at the same time. An excellent directorial debut with an ending you won’t see coming. I only wish more love stories, because yes, I felt there was developing love between the two, that such love and life stories of BIPOC and POC people were as sensitively and as often portrayed. Highly recommended.

My review was originally posted on IMDb. Visit my profile for more film reviews and lists.