I did not see this coming. So, so sad. I discovered his writing fairly recently thanks to @weinerdog, and I remember sinking in for hours and hours. Not many authors can match his immersive and emotional narration paired with captivating storytelling. I will miss his presence and grieve over his unfinished stories. End of an era. 

Comsie was one of the first members I interacted with on GA. His warmth and kindness were able to get me to overcome my usual shyness, which led me to meeting so many more wonderful people on this site. He's left an indelible mark on me as a person, and for that, I'll never forget him.

Rest in peace, Comsie.

This is such sad news. Comsie is the main reason I became a gay teen author. I was an avid fan, and when I began to write, he read my first stories. He encouraged me to continue. He saw the potential that I didn't know then that I had. It was a great honor when he featured me in the May 2021 issue of his Imagine Magazine. He was a G.O.A.T. and I will miss him dearly.

Words Fail.

I didn't really know him at all, except by reputation here. Still, I was shocked when @Sherye Story Reader told me. I know I've read a couple of his stories - there are just too many to have gotten too far in the relatively short time I've been here or on nifty. I have to echo what @James Carnarvon said about his stories never being finished and add that it's sad that he'll never see the comments that are yet to be written by people still reading him for the first time. Very sad. I wonder if the rest of the folks here might chip in and continue some of his unfinished work... Maybe it's best to leave them as they are. RIP Comsie.

Oh my God! I’m heartbroken! 💔 

He was my mentor and dear friend!

I just can’t . . .

My comments are going to be disjointed because I have so many of them.

As @James Carnarvon mentioned nobody was better at getting into the mind of a confused teen gay boy and being able to describe  all the range of emotions that boy is feeling  and every one of us readers could relare he was a genius that way.

@Ronyx mentioned he became a gay teen author because of @Comicality for that alone we owe him a hugh debt of thanks and I'm certain @Ronyx isn't the only one whether they know it or not other authors on GA or other places are doing what they are doing in part because of @Comicality we are always going to see his influence in other authors works so he will always be alive in that respect 

@Lee Wilson brought up the the idea of other GA authors completing his unfinished stories.There are pros and cons to that but there is one thing that is certain no matter how talented the author is he or she will not be able to put that special @Comicality touch on it.But it would be an amazing tribute to him.

Here is another reason we should all hope for a Heaven and for us being worthy enough for being there. We would get a chance to read all the stories he didn't finish here.

I'm really going to miss you Comsie. Thank you for everything💕

I hope that the recollections everyone cherishes of Comicality will bring them solace in the days to come.

3 minutes ago, weinerdog said:

@Lee Wilson brought up the the idea of other GA authors completing his unfinished stories.There are pros and cons to that but there is one thing that is certain no matter how talented the author is he or she will not be able to put that special @Comicality touch on it.But it would be an amazing tribute to him.

I have mixed feelings about this. I agree with everything you're saying here. While as a reader it pains me to see so many unfinished works, I don't know that I'd really want anyone else completing them unless they can do them justice. Part of me is hoping that Comsie might have hand-picked a successor and left enough notes for them to pick up the mantle and complete his vision. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it.

6 minutes ago, Shadow086 said:

I have mixed feelings about this. I agree with everything you're saying here. While as a reader it pains me to see so many unfinished works, I don't know that I'd really want anyone else completing them unless they can do them justice. Part of me is hoping that Comsie might have hand-picked a successor and left enough notes for them to pick up the mantle and complete his vision. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it.

I understand, and you're right. It's likely nobody else can do them justice. Aside from a hand-picked successor, like I said, maybe it's best to leave them as they are.

@Shadow086, I will continue my work on Brandon Smiling in Comsie’s memory as well as my work on The Seducer (a Gone From Daylight fanfic). These are both works directly inspired and sanctioned by Comsie and I think he would want me to continue with them. I wouldn’t try to attempt finishing any of his own novels. I agree, it’s a touchy thing having other authors try to complete his unfinished stories. Comsie’s style was unique to him and I don’t think anyone else could capture that style effectively to do those stories justice. We have what we have and should cherish them for what they are.

Damn, it's always sad when they die this young. He was born the same year as my husband. I know he'll be missed. 

RIP

I don’t have proper words, Comsie was just an incredibly sweet person.  He had passion for his stories, and he was extremely appreciative of anyone who read and commented on them.  
I talked with him casually on and off on his message board, and there were a few email exchanges over the years.

I discovered Comsie’s writing about 20 years ago, and read his stuff off and on, and his stories are the sole reason I made my way to GA.

I’m sad that I’ll never see the end of stories that I was following for years.  I’m sad I’ll never see a new Comsie chapter posted that I can read and react to.  I’m sad I’ll never get to exchange some banter about some new movie, or tv show, or cute guy, or whatever, with him.

I can honestly say he changed my life, and helped me become more accepting of who I am at a very confusing time.

RIP Comsie. 

@MrM That's the thing. I understand wanting endings and closure on the stories, but I also don't know who could do his style justice. But if Comsie went up to you and said "Hey, MrM, I love the work you're doing on Brandon Smiling, it's a really great fit. Here are all my drafts and outlines for the Billy Chase series, if anything happens to me you have my permission to pick up where I left off and finish the story," then that's all I need to be okay with you finishing his novel if you chose to do so.

I will forever miss Comsie's style and I doubt anyone could ever imitate it, but I'd probably be fine with Comsie-approved authors trying to complete his work in their own style, maybe as a separate story to keep Comsie's work intact. It's a very touchy subject and everyone has their own opinions.

Like so many others, I’m shocked. He was an icon, one of those immovable objects in this world. I will miss him.

1 hour ago, weinerdog said:

My comments are going to be disjointed because I have so many of them.

As @James Carnarvon mentioned nobody was better at getting into the mind of a confused teen gay boy and being able to describe  all the range of emotions that boy is feeling  and every one of us readers could relare he was a genius that way.

@Ronyx mentioned he became a gay teen author because of @Comicality for that alone we owe him a hugh debt of thanks and I'm certain @Ronyx isn't the only one whether they know it or not other authors on GA or other places are doing what they are doing in part because of @Comicality we are always going to see his influence in other authors works so he will always be alive in that respect 

@Lee Wilson brought up the the idea of other GA authors completing his unfinished stories.There are pros and cons to that but there is one thing that is certain no matter how talented the author is he or she will not be able to put that special @Comicality touch on it.But it would be an amazing tribute to him.

Here is another reason we should all hope for a Heaven and for us being worthy enough for being there. We would get a chance to read all the stories he didn't finish here.

I'm really going to miss you Comsie. Thank you for everything💕

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@weinerdog I love the way you explained your comments. Your thoughts were expressed in a very respectable, concise, and most importantly, love-filled manner. 

My feelings exactly, @spike382. The stories are one thing, but I think anyone who got to know him beyond the stories will miss him as a person even more. I loved seeing him getting so excited about the new Marvel movie he just saw, or a new gay teen romance on TV, or gushing over his latest celebrity crush. He had that infectious energy that brought joy to everyone, even someone as bitter and cynical as me. You had to try really hard for him not to treat you as a friend. Wonderful guy, one of a kind, I'm so glad I worked up the courage to send him that first email all those years ago.

RIP, Com. You were one of the few truly beautiful souls in, what sometimes feels, like a cruel world with too many cruel people.

Love you forever, dude! ♥️

Comsie’s passing is truly saddening. My deepest condolences to his family and friends and his fans . I found GA about 6 years ago and New Kid was the first story I read and since I have probably read it 9 or so times since. I’ll be honest, I check GA every day awaiting new updates from any of his wonderful stories. He truly had a gift. One that I will truly miss. Not only did I enjoy him as an author but also somewhat as a shepherd, educating those who struggled to love themselves or be ok with who they are while sharing the ordeals of dealing with  rejection, hate or intolerance. I am quite sure that thru his works as well as all of you who have contributed to this outlet for readers has saved many from making the inevitable mistake of taking the easy way out. For that we are all grateful for your endless efforts. Heaven has gained a wonderful soul 

here is a quote from and episode of little house on the prairie I remember as a kid 

“Remember me with smiles and laughter,, for that is how I will remember you if you can only remember me with tears don’t remember me at all” LIW 

 
God Bless you all ❤️

I am heartbroken. You can learn a lot about someone reading their writings. Com's inner sweetness and light always came through loud and clear. When I first read, My Only Escape, I had to stop. It unlocked things inside me that I'd stuffed away for decades. I couldn't read because of the tears in my eyes, and I'm having the same problem now trying to write this.

We've lost a brilliant author, but more importantly, one of the sweetest persons you could hope to meet, in person or online. His wit, charm and optimism were unmistakable in every single paragraph.

I expect there will be a tribute anthology, but what could I write that would be worthy? I can hear him laughing and calling that sentiment silly. Just don't set the time for the anthology too soon. Getting this one right won't be just a lark. This one demands our A game.

Simply thunderstruck and fighting denial on this sad news. Comicality was one of the very first authors I found back so many years ago. And through him, discovering so many other story sites and resources for our community.

He's left a big hole in our writing and story community and even larger shoes to fill, you will be missed and rest in peace...

Thank you for showing myself and others that it does get better.

I discovered Comsie's Shak Out Back and read all of his postings on his home site.  @Comicality was my first experience with a gay contemporary author  and his stories are how I learned about GayAuthors.org and the treasure trove of exceptional writers that post here.  Accolades to all of them but they were all just imitations of Comsie's great library that first led me here.  He saved me from a closeted life in solitude and for my escape from that fate I will be forever indebted to him.  He made it OK to come out in public after a life spent in the shadows.  I thank you, Comsie for my awakening and rebirth into the whole gay community.  He will be sorely missed!