Cia

You're quite welcome! I enjoyed the story before and again when I re-read it for the review.

GA is much like a bookstore. We have featured sections up front for new content, special features for those who've proved themselves a 'good name' to draw readers, and a lot of shelves of a lot of okay stories mixed with good stories mixed with great stories. As with most creative or marketing endeavors, how well someone does on GA is directly proportional to how much work they put into it. As for the site, we do have authors who come and go, and staff who come and go, but the site is built for longevity. We have new members, authors, and eventual staff and team members funneling in as well. We also take the time to try and keep the site updated, as Drak mentioned, compared to some other sites available. We don't want to become obsolete so we try to adjust to growing technology as well as writing standards that have improved with the advent of mobile technology and low-priced, easily hidden/discreet gay fiction eBooks on eReaders. I don't see us going anywhere. If, for no other reason, than that Myr is just too stubborn to throw in the towel, and will continue to drag us along with him.

Welcome to GA Cynus, Miss Sass, and Supernatural_71!!

V-day is only good because of the half-priced chocolate the day after. I've been with the same man for 17 years now, though, so maybe my romantic bone is broken--IF I ever had one. And that's a big ole if... like the size of Alaska if. lol

Now's the time to vote for your favorite pick-up line from the contest entries. Just choose your favorite in the poll and that counts as a vote! The line with the most votes wins our contest prize! Winner will be announced Saturday, February 14th after the voting ends on Friday, February 13th at 8:00 PM, PST!

What if we considered a Monday or Wednesday GA Site News blog post where we provide a place for readers to comment and share what they read recently via comments? Not just finished work, which is what we usually feature, but whatever they've picked up since the last time we did the feature? I haven't talked to Renee at all about this, so it's just a glimmer of a possibility, but we're always looking to engage the site members in stories. What better way to get your favorite story or author more attention than sharing what you enjoy for others to see? And it'd be less work for people than doing a full review.

It was a happy chapter! But the story will definitely be moving along next week, and you'll get to meet Will's folks.

LOL! Well, there was the whole plan he's had for years upon years. He's big on plans, but when they go awry, I think he's learning he needs to grab what he can, while he can. Thanks for the review, LitLover!

Well you go more! I'm glad the chapter whet your appetite!

Have you downloaded your copy of the Signature Background for February yet? There's still time! Today we're featuring an interview with Carl Holiday, all about him, his writing, and a little about how Hold 32 came into being! Do you eat your fruits and vegetables? I’m more of a dairy and grains kind of guy. Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? I make it up at night, before I use it. It’s not like the housing inspectors will be coming along and give me demerits for sloppy housekeeping. What brought you to GA? I was out on the web looking for gay (or, gay written) stories and discovered Gay Authors. At the time, I was working on a long story and publishing it on Nifty when I was contacted by someone here and the rest is history. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Yes, getting in enough humor because it’s so vital to the human psyche. Do you have any writing rituals? No, not since I moved in with my son in October 2011. How did you come up with the plumber idea for Hold32 based on the anthology theme ‘Walk on the Wild Side’? There will come a time in the far future (if we’re not obliterated by an asteroid or massive Yellowstone sized volcano) when humans will venture forth in humongous space vessels seeking a new planet they can pollute with rapt abandon. Did the characters or the plot come to you first? Plot first, characters and tiger second. Did you ever think up the alternative method for them that you didn’t share with the short story? No, they had their work to do and it has to be done. They probably have a union approved directive stating their need to get the job done. How they did it was up to them. What are your future projects? Do you ever think you’ll go back to these guys? 1) Finish Hercules III. Honest, there is an end in sight; it’ll just take a while; unless, of course, a plot change occurs. 2) Depending on unknown circumstances, I’ll probably start work on another long story; humongous star ships seem to be a sub-genre I can live in. Guys in Hold 32 again? No, I don’t see ever coming to another story about plumbers. Although, a long, long time ago (decades), I was working on a long story centered around a plumbing company, Petersen Plumbing, located in North Park (favorite fictional town) in Washington state.

Will inched forward, the sheets rustling the only sound in the room. It had to be perfect. This was his first chance to touch Teddy the way he’d always wanted to. He swallowed hard, darting his tongue out to wet his dry lips. This close, he could see Teddy close his eyes just before their lips touched, but Will couldn’t look away. He wanted to see everything. He wanted to feel everything. It was bliss. Teddy’s lips were firm but soft. Will brushed his lips across Teddy’s, sucking gently on h

Another entry! Just one more day to enter your line if you want to be part of the contest! PM me if you have a 'so bad it's great' come on!

More entries!!

This month for the Signature Background, I featured Carl Holiday's story, Hold 32 from the 2011 Anthology themed: Walk on the Wild Side. A short story I enjoyed then and now, I thought I'd do the review myself! And if you haven't had a chance to download your background yet this month, you can get it here! Hold 32 by Carl Holiday Signature Author Reviewer: Cia Status: Complete Length: 1,595 I read A LOT, but this story stuck out to me in 2011 when I first read it. In fact, I said: When I read the story again, I was struck anew by the nuances of the world Carl created in a seriously restricted amount of words. We get a lovely picture of the two main characters' life together outside of work. They live upon a millennia-old ship the size of the moon, humanity going on after leaving Earth but never setting down roots on a planet. But just like some areas here and now, poor decision making and mismanagement have created areas where it is just NOT safe to go. Places where humans do not hold sway--somewhere no one has gone since things went wrong. And are these two guys soldiers? Nope. Just two work-a-day men who have a job to do, and some piddly stunners to keep themselves safe. That just screams bad idea, because who knows what those critters have gotten up to as they cruised through the stars? I still want more of this story. I want to see what happens after Jerry and Derrick meet with the written dead-end. Can they fill the order and perform the work? Or will there be other surprises waiting for them? What would happen if those surprised got out?!! As always, the mark of a really good story is the fact I don't want to put it down. Hold 32 definitely qualifies. If you have a few minutes and are looking for a short read to fill your spare time, you definitely need to read this! Category: 2011-2 Anthology: Walk on the Wide Side Genre: Drama Tags: off-planet, no sex, future Rating: Mature

A vicious jab to the junk? That would be my response!

More posts for the contest to... enjoy. Yeah. LOL

To start off the contest, I'll post the 2 entries I have so far. The rest will be posted tonight, and each evening until the cut off date! Remember, don't post your entry here, send me a PM, so we can keep these anonymous until we release the winner next weekend. Entry One: Entry Two:

Face it, this time of the year, love is on most people’s minds. Long-distance Love? Looking to start something new? Try these virtual Valentine’s ideas when you just can’t be there in person! Carving a Heart: http://www.forestoflove.com/valentines-day/perfect-gift.php Virtual bouquets: http://www.iflowers.com/vir/vir_gallery_date.asp An old classic, The Mix Tape! http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-New-Playlist-on-YouTube An even older classic, The Love Letter! http://www.writeexpress.com/love.htm This is International Flirt Week, and those ideas are great for finally sharing your interest in someone new just as much as letting your loved one know how much you care, even if you’re not able to give them a gift in person. But let’s get down to the basics of romancing someone up! The Come On Line! Seduction can start with a look—in person or on a dating profile—but there’s always that moment of the first time you speak to someone you’re interested in. Your make-or-break moment, as it were. We’ve all been there at some point in our lives, right? So what this contest is all about is that moment, the very first flirt… and how bad it can get! That’s right, we don’t want your best come on lines, we want your worst! The corny, or makes no sense, or downright begging for a slap line you’ve either made the mistake of using or been subjecting to hearing! **Contest Details** Share your fav line in a PM to Cia1 from today through Wednesday night, 8 PM, PST. These will be added to the topic daily and members can share their shock and awe at the awfulness, but do not share which one is your submission!! Voting will open in a poll added to the topic on Thursday and last through Friday night at 8 PM, PST. The winner2 will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 14th. Prize: One Free Month Premium Access plus One Month Free to a "friend" of your choice! 1 If more than one person submits the winning line, the winner will be chosen via random.org. 2 If you post your line in the topic, you will not be entered in the contest. Example:

We'll see a lot more of Teddy's reaction in the next chapter, I promise! Will might not know how to relate to everyone in a 'regular' way, but he's always had a good heart. I loved how everyone disliked him in the beginning--that was great--and gave me a ton of room to show his character progression. Thanks for the review, Valkyrie!

Thanks, Scary! Unfortunately there's a firm 1k cap on these chapters, as I actually write them as part of my Wednesday Briefers flash fiction group for my off-GA blog. But more will be coming next Wednesday!

They've been skirted their feelings for a long time, but when you have everything to lose, I think you grab on with both hands to what time you could have. More will definitely be coming next week. Thanks for the review, LitLover!!

Britain approved 3 person IVF‏. In this process they'd remove "faulty" mitochondrial DNA from a cell and replace it with mitochondrial DNA from a donor female egg to help reduce genetic diseases before implantation. Examples of "curable" mitochondrial genetic diseases: Diabetes mellitus and deafness, blindness, multiple sclerosis-type diseases, some epilepsy, liver disease, heart disease... The mitochondrial DNA doesn't affect genetic information like hair and eye color, personality, etc... This is a fascinating area of study, but quite a debated one. I can see the controversy of designer babies vs. removing preventable genetic diseases to prevent suffering and death becoming a wider-reaching hot button subject since this decision has been reached.

Being alone in his bed sucked. It was too big, and even though he could hear Teddy’s breathing, it wasn’t good enough. They’d risked life and limb together, and Will felt closer to Teddy than ever. He refused to allow them to drift apart and follow the paths others set in front of them. He wanted a different life. Will slid off his bed, wincing at the cold stone floor against the sore soles of his feet. He cautiously made his way over to the door. He found the lantern and sent a tiny wave of p

February is a month many people focus on love. But sometimes two people have to face seemingly insurmountable obstacles and there's no guarantee having a connection can be enough. I really enjoyed this story, so I decided to feature J Vaughn's short story for this month's Can't Stop Reading Book Club. Pierced by J Vaughn Length: 19,210 Description: Paul is a college football player and deeply in the closet until he stumbles upon a rape victim who needs his help. Kyle is out and proud but dealing with the aftermath of a brutal attack. They are both strongly attracted to each other but will a relationship be able to flourish in spite of the obstacles? Paul will have to come to terms with his sexuality and Kyle will have to get over his fear and depression, but together they might be strong enough to help each other heal. A Reader Said: What a beautiful and heartwarming story. ~ Joann414 This month's CSR Discussion day will be Monday, February 23! So take the next three weeks, read it (it's only 19k, though you'll wish it was longer!) and come prepared to chat about your thoughts on the story. Happy Reading!!

Ahh, the reader picking up on the subtle clues!! I love that, since this story is exclusively from Will's POV. Thanks so much for the review, Faxity!