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Renee Stevens

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  1. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I hope everyone has had a great week so far and that everyone is staying safe and warm. We had a busy week here at Gay Authors, so let's just get right down to it and take a look at what we had going on.
     
    We have so many stories here on GA that sometimes it can be hard to find something you want to read. To help with that, Monday's are our featured story day in the blog and this week we featured Toy Soldiers by Dabeagle! If you haven't already read it, then this is your chance to check it out!
     
    Interested in participating in the Secret Admirer Short Story Contest? As a reminder of the rules and deadlines, we did a Reminder: Secret Admirer Short Story Contest blog on Wednesday. Time is running out to get your entry in and we've only had a couple so far. Hope to see more entries coming in.
     
    Friday, is our prompt day for the blog. Comicfan joined us again this week to bring us two new prompts and he also featured JohnAR as the featured prompt response for this week.
     
    Normally that would be the end of our wrap up, but today we have one more thing for you. For those who have trouble finding out what they need to know, Myr has posted a new Frequently Asked Questions page. If you're looking for information, try there first. It's pretty comprehensive. We hope this makes it easier for people to find the answers to their questions.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     

    My Twentieth Year by AC Benus
     
    Falling Apart by craftingmom
     
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
     
    Headstall's Reflections by Headstall
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    Waiting Outside The Lines by Comicality
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    The G. M. Os. by CarlHoliday
     
    ...And All Shall Fade To Black by layla
     
    The Best Year by Krista
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  2. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I hope everyone has had a great weekend so far. Now it's time to take a quick look back over what has happened this week. Before we do that, just a quick reminder that the deadline for the Secret Admirer Contest is approaching, so make sure to get your entries in soon! Now, let's see what happened in the blog this week.
     
    To start our week off, Cia brought us the January Signature Feature: Beloved By Don H
     
    To continue Signature Week, we looked at an excerpt of Beloved.
     
    Friday, Comicfan joined us to bring a couple of new prompts and share a couple of previous prompt responses.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     
    My Twentieth Year by AC Benus
     

    Falling Apart by craftingmom
     
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
     

    No Flash by Cia
     
    The Hollow Hills by Valkyrie
     

    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    A Fool's Thoughts by aditus
     
    The G. M. Os. by CarlHoliday
     
    One Hundred and Fifty-Five Sonnets by AC Benus
     
    The Life of Seeon by comicfan
     
    ...And All Shall Fade To Black by layla
     
    The Best Year by Krista
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  3. Renee Stevens

    Prompt Me!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Prompts
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!


     
    I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year. How did you spend your New Years Eve? I know this is kind of late, but it's time for the first prompts of 2016!!! Hopefully you'll find something that will get those creative juices flowing. Don't forget, if posting your prompt responses in GA Stories, stories of less than 1000 words need to be posted as part of a collection. Happy Writing!!!
     
    Prompt 468 - Creative
    Tag- List of Words
    Use the following words in a story- a blanket, a cake, a torn shirt, a pink ribbon, & a bat.
     
    Prompt 469 - Creative
    Tag - The Allergy
    You told your date all about your favorite foods. Tonight they are cooking for you. As you eat you suddenly begin to swell and your date calls for an ambulance. What are you allergic to, and what happened?
     
    For our featured prompt response, let's take a look at Valkyrie's response to Prompt #466.

     
    Read the rest!
  4. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Albertnothlit

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Who's ready for another author promo! Authors were allowed to choose up to three of their stories to be promoted in the blog. For each story, they had the same three questions to answer. For today's blog entry, we're bringing you Albertnothlit with his stories Tantalus and The Pact. Enjoy!
     

    Albertnothlit



    Author



    11 stories * 346 reviews * 198,200 total words


     

    Tantalus

     
    Description: Kyle does not want to leave his home behind, but he has no choice. He is assigned to a remote scientific outpost on the planet Tantalus where he meets Jim, the xenobiologist in charge of researching the indigenous species. Almost as soon as he arrives, though, strange things start happening. Things that could compromise Kyle's future, or even his life...
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     

    I was sitting in an airport terminal waiting for my plane to depart when I started thinking about the dynamics of mentorship between older and younger guys. Many teenagers are very rebellious, and in some cases they can benefit greatly from getting to know someone with a strong personality that knows how to show them how things are done. Then I added furry aliens in an unexplored planet.  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     

    The feedback I got from readers, by far. When this story was being released, I would get messages from the community reacting to each and every chapter, trying to guess what would happen later, and sharing their own insight into why they thought the two main characters acted the way they did. It was an amazing experience. Before that, writing for me had been a very solitary endeavor, but Tantalus was different. It felt as if I were interacting directly with readers, other authors, and my editor, in a whole new way. That’s what I love the most about this site. You get to make real connections with people, and for me that’s what writing is all about.  
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     

    There’s a second part coming! It’s already been planned, but I want to take my time to write it well, and I think it will be ready early next year. Tantalus is a big planet, mostly unexplored, and there’s lots of juicy secrets to unearth. Also, crazy killer aliens are coming, so there’s that.  

    The Pact

     
    Description: How far would you go to protect your children? And why is Meredith's house covered with spiders?
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     

    The writing prompts. They are amazing! This prompt in particular asked us to explain why our house was covered with spiders, and since I’ve always had kind of a morbid fascination with arachnids, I jumped at the chance to weave a story around it.  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     

    It got me in the mood for Halloween! It’s my favorite holiday, after all, and it was great fun.  
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     

    With The Pact, I wanted to explore the strength and determination that a mother needs to have in order to protect her children. Making a pact with a giant spider without hesitating requires bravery, especially when you don’t know what the creature will ask for in return.
  5. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Since I'm running late today, let's get right into it!
     
    Monday we shared a review of lomax's Kissing The Dragon.
     
    Wednesday we revisited a past blog post from Cia called Cia's Torturing Me. It's all about what might keep your story in the moderation queue and what you can do to make sure your story is approved quickly.
     
    Thursday we had our guessing game for the Secret Santa contest. I received a compilation, from someone who wishes to remain nameless, of who guessed, so here it is:
     

    Seven Swans got 11 guesses on 5 names, none guessed correctly
    Chrisis Eve got 8 guesses on 4 names, one person guessed correctly (AC Benus)
    All I Want For Christmas got 7 guesses on 5 names, one person guessed correctly (craftingmom)
    Twenty-Three Days of Adven got 7 guesses on 5 names, three people guessed correctly
    Myrthcottle’s Memories got 7 guesses on 4 names, three people guessed correctly
    The Modern Magi got 7 guesses on 3 names, three people guessed correctly  

    AC Benus made 6 corrects guesses
    craftingmom made 5 corrects guesses
    Puppilull, Valkyrie, Mikiesboy made 3 corrects guesses
    everyone else had one or two correct guesses  

    Twelve stories had someone guess the correct author:  

    La Gracier Et La Paix (The Pardon and the Peace) - most people (5) guessed this one
    Elves (3)
    Myrthcottle’s Memories (3)
    The Modern Magi, or Miracle at the Angel Tree (3)
    Twenty-Three Days of Advent (3)
    Cruising For Love At Christmas (2)
    Mistletoe Balls (2)
    All I Want For Christmas (1)
    Chrisis Eve (1)
    Habibi (1 - I'm not counting Puppilul guessing her own story, lol)
    Meeting Santa (1)
    Operation Wonder (1)  

    Nine stories had no one guess their author  

    From Santa
    Julebukking
    My Very Own Secret Santa
    Santa's Little Helper
    Seven Swans
    The Baker's Helper
    The Letter: A Christmas Tale
    The Old Ways
    The Secret Santa Game  
    There were no new prompts on Friday of this week. Instead, we announced the winners of the Secret Santa Short Story Contest as well as had the author reveal. Were you surprised by who wrote what? How many did you guess correctly?
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    *Note* Though they'll be a week late, the stories in the Secret Santa Contest will be added to the weekly wrap up next week after the reveal.
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    All I want for Christmas by Graeme *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Chrisis Eve by Headstall *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Julebukking by Cole Matthews *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Mistletoe Balls by Aditus *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Santa's Little Helper by craftingmom *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    The Modern Magi, or Miracle at the Angel Tree by AC Benus *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    The Old Ways by Valkyrie *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Twenty-Three Days of Advent by Thorn Wilde *Secret Santa Contest*
     
    Sauna Christmas by Thorn Wilde; Book 2 of Tales From the Sauna
     

    Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     

    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     

    Aditus' prompts and circumstances by aditus
     
    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     
    It Had to be Good! - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1929 by AC Benus
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
     
    2015 Prompt Responses by Valkyrie
     

    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    The G. M. Os. by CarlHoliday
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  6. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Presence

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Being the start of a new week, Monday's are also a good time to take a look at some of the different stories that can be found on Gay Authors. With so many great works, it can be easy to overlook one and Monday's provide an opportunity for us to help make one of them stand out and maybe catch your interest. Today, we're bringing you a review by Timothy M. of carringtonrj's story "Presence". Enjoy!
     

    Presence


    by



    carringtonrj


    Promising Author


     

    Reviewer: Timothy M.

    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 48,924

     
    Most stories on GA are about gay men and for good reason, since this is the preference of the majority of members. But luckily there are also stories for readers interested in other aspects of the sexual diversity of humans. One of the authors who explore the questing nature of human relationships is carringtonrj.
     
    His stories are certainly not mainstream, neither in content nor in form. But they are invariably well written, poetic, romantic, heartfelt, and open-minded. And as one of his readers said: ‘your characters always have a fluidity to their sexuality.’ I might add that many of them are as shy, unassuming and modest as the author himself.
     
    RJ has a small but enthusiastic fan group, but I’d like to see it expanded, and I’m sure there must be other readers who’ll appreciate his particular talent. This review concerns his most recent story, Presence, which perhaps is a greater challenge than earlier stories like Vintage or London and Love. One of the reasons is that RJ experiments with different styles of writing, and each chapter has its own distinct flavor. Some chapters contain nothing but dialogue, while others follow the rambling thoughts of the protagonists.
     
    But Presence also has many of RJ’s signature traits: interesting characters with intelligence and empathy, beautiful imagery, and a grasp of the written word which is second to none. There is no rushing or hectic drama, but a calm intensity in every chapter. In fact, I have more than once left a review which comments on the soothing quality of his stories, e.g.:
     

    The calmness of this chapter was a balm to soothe the hurt and hurry of everyday lives. (Presence ch 10)  

    Your habit of describing the situations with two or more phrases, reinforcing the impressions in subtle variation, is part of what creates the slow mellow progress which sets this story apart from the fast-and-furious action which pervades modern life. (Vintage ch 3)  
    Let me mention other good points of Presence, a story which according to the description tells of ‘A lesbian romance with a gay boyfriend along for the ride.’ To me the main one is Alex who is a woman of keen but kind wit, at once sensible and sensitive. For some reason I enjoy reading stories with intelligent, strong women, perhaps because they are attractive as both friends and lovers. I despise the Bridget Jones trend of 'helpless, silly women' being cute and desirable. Give me an Alex any day!
     
    I’m also intrigued by the interaction of Alex with the two other characters of the story: Jamie, her boyfriend, and Lucy, who meets Alex at work. The way Alex and Lucy think about and react to each other and to the confusion and joy they feel at their mutual attraction, is so vivid, believable and universally human that I think all of us can relate, whether we are male, female, gay, straight, or anything in between. It is clear to me that no matter their faults and foibles, carringtonrj cares deeply for his characters and their struggles to find themselves, and he makes me engage myself in them too.
     
    Why not give him and Presence a try? You might be as surprised and delighted as I was when I first stumbled on carringtonrj’s genderqueer stories.
     

    Category: Fiction Genres: Romance Tags: Mature Adult, Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Love Rating: Mature


  7. Renee Stevens

    Revisit: Cia's Torturing Me

    By Renee Stevens,


    Writing Tips
    Reminder: Voting for the Secret Santa Story Contest ends TODAY! Don't forget to PM your votes, for your favorite Secret Santa Story, to A.J. before 2:00 PM EST. Now, what do we have for you today. Lately, I've been revisiting some of the old blog posts. The site is growing every day, bringing in more readers and more authors. With the influx in newer authors, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit Cia's blog post on some of the highest occurring mistakes that authors make when posting their stories for the first time. For the newer authors, I hope you find this post informative. For those who have been here a while, it never hurts to have a reminder.

     


    Cia’s Torturing Me!


     

    by



    Cia


     
    If you’re an author, I’m sure you’ve thought that at least once, right? I swear, it’s nothing personal! GA’s posting system is complicated, and there is always a learning curve for new authors to figure out the ins and outs of posting here. I'm also the primary staff member that reviews the Stories submissions, so I am not picking on any one person if you receive more than one PM; I'm simply the staff member that reviews everything in the queue unless I am away from GA for some reason. That being said… there are a few things that will get you on my hit… uh, kindly message list.
     
    Posting Issues Most Likely To Trigger a Moderation PM:
     


    Posting More Than One Chapter : New stories should always be posted with a single chapter only. These should be properly edited, ready to go live, chapters. A prologue is okay, as it auto-posts with the first chapter, but more than a single chapter in a new submission floods the announcement listing. Additional chapters CAN be posted, but only if you post-date them. You can read about the post-dating system in the faq here.
     

    Paragraph Spacing : This might be the most common mistake I see. Check your story content after you post, please. Some writing programs, browsers, and or machines (tablets/phones) are not compatible with the text editor. It can either strip out or add extra spaces between the paragraphs. Reviewing your chapters allows you to fix that before I find it in the queue. A fix in Word can be found in the faq here.  

    If you use other writing programs, like Google docs, tablets, etc… try posting with a new browser or placing your text in another program before you copy to GA until you have the correct spacing. We can't always tell you what the exact problem is in these cases to fix the spacing issue.
     

    Flash Fiction and Poetry : Short stories under 1k in length, such as prompt responses, or poetry must be placed in a ‘collection’. This is as simple as creating a title that implies a collection, such as ‘My Shorts or My Haiku’ and then posting a single submission as the first chapter. Then subsequent posts would be made as chapters to that ‘collection’. The chapter titles can be edited and notes can be placed in each chapter as a description, if you choose. You may have more than one collection, within reason, to separate types of poetry or stories if you have a large number of varied content available.
     

    Posting a Series Title : If you are posting a story that isn’t a follow up story to one already existing on GA, you do not have a series. Please don't use this field. Once you post the 2 nd story in your series you can go back and edit the first story to include the series information for the search engine. Also you can never have story 0 of a series.
     

    Content : Yes, we have a basic quality expectation. If you don’t know the word ‘I’ should be capitalized, or how to use a basic spellcheck, you will be placed under review and your story may be rejected until you can edit it up to a minimum level of readability. Yes, we allow stories with erotic content. We also allow stories that show drug use, suicide attempts and actual suicides, abuse, rape, etc… but there are criteria for each that must be followed, such as not glorifying the acts and adding content warnings to the story/chapter notes for extreme content. Erotic content must be integral to the plot and cannot be more than half the story plot. There is a narrow band of acceptable incest and bestiality themes, but necrophilia is NEVER ok.  

    Various Fields Filled Out Incorrectly : We have a 3 step rating system for stories for authors to use. They include Everyone, Teen, and Mature. Teen and Mature ratings apply for stories containing content like sex, violence, abuse, or suicide stories. Mature would mean any ‘on-screen/graphic’ content. Teen includes it, but it might occur in the backstory or off-screen such as a ‘fade to black’ sex scene not actually written in. Everyone means no graphic content.

    We have a story status system that has 3 levels. In Process means you’re still posting the story (even if you have it complete, until you post the last chapter it is not complete on GA) and On Hold means you’re not posting the story for whatever reason. Make sure you post to the right category for your story. There is a long drop menu with many options, so please check them all to ensure the best search engine results.  

    And more… This is why we ask that authors read the entire “New Author Help: How to Post a Story” faq before they post.  
    Any story deemed suspect for any reason will be placed under review and discussed by the forum moderation team to ensure a fair team decision on acceptability. I am not a dictator with the only say in what does and does not get approved.
     
    Questions I Get The Most From Authors:
     


    Why are you checking my stuff in a moderation queue? We check to ensure proper posting procedure is followed, that the content falls within our guidelines, and that you’re not a plagiarist. The fact is, we’ve been burned before with people stealing stories and posting on GA. We don’t always catch it, but we try our utmost to protect authors’ rights on this site.  

    How long does the queue take? Typically 24 hours, at the most. I say this because I check the mod queue once a day. Usually I attempt this between 5-10 AM, Pacific Standard Time, but I do have a life and things sometimes crop up. If you post at 9:00 AM and I already checked the queue, and something comes up the next day and I don’t get to it until the afternoon… you may wait longer than 24 hours. Sometimes I can review and approve submissions several times a day. Anything with questionable content triggering a team review can take up to 72 hours.

    Also, because we ask that authors only post a maximum of 2 chapters spaced out (morning/night, for example) if you have 2 stories or chapters waiting in the queue, I will only approve one. I might approve the second several hours later, or it might end up waiting until the next day. Please don’t overwhelm the queue, as that only makes my job harder to ensure that your stories and chapters are posted with a fair timing without overwhelming the announcement listing.  

    Please remember I’m one person who dedicates time every day to this process, but I am not perfect. In the past we’ve found bugs with the posting system when author’s work didn’t post to the queue properly as well. IF your submission remains in the queue for an unreasonable amount of time without any contact from me, you can PM me.  

    How long am I in the queue? There is no set time limit in the queue, but there is a cut-off point. You must have 75 likes on your forum content, stories, and chapters before you no longer face the queue. Once you have achieved that level, your updates will post when you publish them. So, it behooves an author to be active, posting consistently, and interacting with readers and other members on our forums as well.  

    Is your decision the sole factor in submission approval? No, it’s not. As I said before, any story deemed suspect for any reason is reviewed by the forum moderation team for a fair discussion and consensus.  

    Why can’t I edit my story/chapter or why did I get an error message when I tried to edit my story/chapter? The system has a fail-safe set in place to prevent large amounts of text in a chapter or story from being removed. We expect that you post your best work that has already been edited. If there is a serious problem, or you do not take advantage of the offer, I will remove the story/chapter content for you to repost if you PM me.  

    Why can’t I delete my story/chapter(s)? Again, there’s a fail-safe built into the system to prevent that from occurring. Authors can place their work unpublished so no one but the author or staff can see it, but they cannot delete. No, we will not refuse to remove your work, but you must PM me to ensure complete deletion from the system. I will usually want to know why, because if there’s a problem with the story, posting, or a moderation issue with another GA member, a cooling off period and discussion can sometimes resolve the issue without the story actually being deleted.
     

    I’m so confused! How do I find help? We have a faq you can find under the ? tab in the red menu bar. The topic titled, “New Author Help: How to Post a Story” not only has our posting and content guidelines, it also has a chapter that explains what each field is for in our story submission form as well as various things unique to our system. If you’ve read the faq, and still don’t know the answer to your questions, please feel free to PM me. It can often be easier to ask ahead of time than to sort out posting issues after you attempt to post.
  8. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    It was a big week here in the news blog. For those that missed it, we had 21 new stories posted as part of the Secret Santa Short Story Contest! We've only had a few votes come in so far, but don't worry, there's still plenty of time for you to get your vote in!!! Votes have to be in by 2:00 PM EST on the 23rd of December. There's lots of great stories, and picking a favorite might be hard, but you never know, the story you pick could have been written by one of your favorite authors.
     
    Monday and Tuesday were both posts for our Signature Author Week. This month's feature is Graeme's story, Heart of the Tree. On Monday we posted the banner and members' reviews of the story. Then on Tuesday, we posted an excerpt from the story!
     
    Friday brought us a couple of new prompts from the prompt guru. Hopefully one of them will inspire you to create!
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    *Note* Though they'll be a week late, the stories in the Secret Santa Contest will be added to the weekly wrap up next week after the reveal.
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    Cards on the Table by Headstall
     

    Headstall's Reflections by Headstall
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     
    Aditus' prompts and circumstances by aditus
     

    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     

    It Had to be Good! - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1929 by AC Benus
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
     

    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    The G. M. Os. by CarlHoliday
     

    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  9. Renee Stevens
    It's time for the last Prompts of the year!!! Normally we'd have at least one more, but with the 25th falling on a Friday and the reveal for the Secret Santa Contest happening on the 25th, there won't be any prompts next week. Don't forget to send your votes to A.J. before December 23rd at 2:00 PM EST. Now, onto the prompts! Hopefully you'll find one of these prompts to your liking. Don't forget to share it in the prompt forum, and also, please remember that prompts under 1,000 words have to be placed in a collection. Let's see what we have this week.
     
    Prompt 466 - Creative
    Tag - First Line
    "He really wants that for his gift?"
     
    Prompt 467 -Creative
    Tag -The Cold
    Tonight was supposed to be a romantic date night that you have been planning for weeks. Instead, you have a cold that is knocking you out. How does your date night go?
     
    Today we're featuring Jamessavik's response to Prompt #464. Enjoy
     

    Read the rest.
  10. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    This week was a busy week. Don't forget that the 15th at 2pm EST is the last chance to get your entries in for the Secret Santa Short Story Contest. Unfortunately, if they're not in by then, I can't include them in the voting that will start on the 16th. Good luck to all the entrants.
     
    On Monday, Cia announced the choices for the December CSR. This month is all about Christmas stories!
     
    On Wednesday we had this month's Ask An Author feature. To see what the authors were asked, and what their answers were, check it out.
     
    There were no prompts on Friday, due the Thursday release of the 2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout. There were eleven entries provided by ten authors. If you haven't already done so, go read and let the authors know what you thought.
     
    Saturday we had a reminder post for the Secret Santa Story Contest.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    Prying Ears by craftingmom *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    The Light by Headstall *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    The Embers by Cole Matthews *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    Escape by Valkyrie *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    Burning Bright by Renee Stevens *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    08:15 AM Redux by aditus *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    Lights On! by aditus *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    Falling by Cia *2015 Winter Anthology*
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour
     
    Headstall's Reflections by Headstall
     
    It Had to be Good! - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1929 by AC Benus
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    Gay Metal by carringtonrj
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  11. Renee Stevens
    It's hard to believe that the year is almost over! With the end of the year comes our final 2015 Anthology. The theme for the Winter Anthology was Blackout, and ten authors took the challenge. There are some different takes to the stories and we hope that you enjoy them. Don't forget, if you enjoy a story, leave the author a little note (via review) to let them know how much you appreciate their work! To get you started, here's a brief snippet of each entry. Happy reading everyone!
     



     


    08:15 AM Redux


    aditus


     
    Romeo was over an hour late. No texts. No messages. And he had forgotten his keys left on the kitchen table. Julian flicked his finger against the little cake pendant. He had found it on Etsy and immediately bought it. A deceptively realistic slice of strawberry cheesecake, with red sauce dripping down its sides. The whole evening he had been feeling inexplicably on edge.
     
    When the doorbell rang, he breathed out in relief. Finally! Snatching the key chain, he ran into the hall.
     
    Ripping the door open, he grinned. Romeo didn't need to know he had been worried. “Someone forgot their k…” But the smile froze on his face when he saw Ren.
     


    Burning Bright


    Renee Stevens


     
    Oh god, not again.
     
    I clenched the steering wheel as the first twinges of pain hit. Maybe I could still make it home before the throbbing started. I’d really hoped the new medication would prevent my migraines. They had for the most part, but occasionally one still managed to slip through the cracks. The fuzziness in my vision had been my first indication that a migraine was looming. The colorful zigzag pattern started at the edges of my vision and proceeded to work its way inward, until they multiplied and blurred even more of my vision. It made it impossible to see clearly, and the only respite from the distorted vision was to close my eyes.
     


    Christmas Starlight


    C. When


     
    As we passed through the decorated market, lit by the orange glow of ancient lights that simulated ‘sunset’, Marius dragged me across the ‘town square’ at the center of the market past the tall pine tree that grew there, and around the small tables toward the ancient collections stall located against the far wall of the Market Bay. We weaved our way through the throngs of families with children dashing about, the various people surrounding stalls, haggling for the best price, the lines at the food stalls, and others just looking for some excitement. The various stalls had small decorations for the holiday to draw attention to their secondhand and recycled wares. At one stand, a woman was trying to trade a small shirt for a larger one while holding on to a young growing child's hand.
     


    Day and Night


    Drew Espinosa


     
    Going to Adam’s, I’ll be back by 9. Love you.
     
    The message sent, Luke quickly put away his phone after making sure once more that a teacher wasn’t in sight. With a sigh of relief, he closed his locker and with everything in tow, made his way to the main entrance.
     
    Autumn had finally set in, the trees were now mostly bare and most of the leaves had finally dispersed, with some colorful patches still seen here and there. With the afternoon sun shining so brightly, Luke hoped it might be a warm day. But after stepping outside the school’s main doors, a cold breeze blew past him. Luke wisely zipped up his sweater and after adjusting his backpack, placed his hands in his pockets.
     


    Escape


    Valkyrie


     
    My head hurt like a son-of-a-bitch. I groaned and sat up, only to immediately lie back down due to the shooting daggers of pain exploding through my skull. What the hell did I do last night? And where the hell was I? I was lying on the floor, as my back was very clearly letting me know. I sat up much more slowly this time, and opened one of my eyes, then the other one.
     
    It was pitch black, wherever I was. The pain in my head lessened to a dull ache. My body felt like it’d been run over by a freight train. I tried to remember the last thing I did, but felt a surge of panic as I realized I had no memory. As in none. I didn’t even remember my name. I fished in my pocket, relieved to find my cell phone. I turned it on, wincing from the bright light slicing through the impenetrable ink.
     

    Falling


    Cia


     
    “No, no, no.” The junk ship assigned to me had parts shaking loose every time I landed, but during my last furlough, it’d supposedly gone through a thorough diagnostic and repair. From the outside, well… it still looked like a rusty pile of shit, but nothing had been dangling from damaged hinges or loose wires for once.
     
    “Fucking Anslough.” He was the lead mechanic. I’d blown him once and then let him suck me off, but his skills had been on par with his repair abilities; I should have known better—on both counts.
     
    Now I was about to crash on an uncharted planet in an unresponsive ship. Hard. I banged on the panel with my fist, and the display lit up once, flickered… then went black. My internal links didn’t work, the backup system was down, the engines unresponsive, and I couldn’t even close the external viewport screens.
     


    Lights On!


    aditus


     

    Black out – Lights on!



    Seeing what is veiled



    By the dark.


     


    Prying Ears


    craftingmom


     
    "... come on, dude, you have to go..."
     
    Colt paused as he passed by Ryan's door. He smiled at the voice of his son's new friend, Trent, from down the street. It had taken Ryan a couple of months before he'd even talk to any of the other teens who played basketball at the neighborhood court. Ryan had come a long way since he'd moved in with Colt and Shane, but he still had a ways to go.
     
    Colt knew Trent was a decent kid, having met his parents at several of their block parties. Trent had caught Ryan watching their pick-up basketball games several times, and even though Ryan had tried to avoid the boy, Trent had been determined to draw him out.
     


    Storm Survivors


    Carlos Hazday


     
    The intermittent rain had begun late the previous evening. As Jessie eased the skiff away from the dock, there had been no sunrise to enjoy―gray clouds blanketed the sky. Heading out on the Guana River, the young man kept glancing towards the west, where the darkness above him appeared to expand with each passing minute. His furrowed brow hinted at the growing apprehension the Texan was experiencing; this one was going to be a big one. The frequency of periods with precipitation and gusting winds steadily increased, as he used the fishing net to retrieve each catch. An hour or so after setting out, Jessie decided it was best he remove himself from the path of the intensifying storm. It was time to return to the environmental station building which had become home to him, Lars, and Aitor over the previous year.
     


    The Embers


    Cole Matthews


     
    I stood in the entryway of the restaurant, rather disgusted by what I was witnessing. A cook was in clear view in the kitchen window picking his nose. He was really digging in there, and had a haunted, almost vacant look on his scruffy face. I wanted to turn around and walk away, but I couldn’t. For some reason, this place had drawn me.
     
    "Can I help you?" a woman's voice diverted my attention. She was in her late teens, possibly early twenties, and still had a rash of angry acne on her cheeks. Her impossibly blonde hair with telltale brown roots was tied back in a ponytail. Her white shirt had light pink stains on the sides and arms, and her black apron was crusty and smeared with something white and pasty.
     


    The Light


    Headstall


     
    He stood in nothingness. Mired. It was an endless void… limbo… and somehow, he knew that. But he was also aware there was a defined path. A direction beckoned, like a pull on his cells, urging him, no, commanding him to obey. He wasn’t supposed to have a choice. He understood that too. Could he accept this new reality? Could he let go? He should be pleased the debilitating pain was gone, yet what it signified was worse, wasn’t it? Yes. His awareness grew, and fed his conviction. He’d be leaving something precious and irreplaceable behind if he took the fated course, the artery he could feel pulsing beneath his feet. Sight wasn’t needed here, though he still possessed functioning eyes, for he could see a light in the distance. It was a heavenly orb that flared gold on the outer edges. The center, though, was the purest white… a revelation that drew him. He had to look away. The power of that light, its beauty and its call, were too strong, too insistent. A siren? A promise? Another chance? He didn’t care. He wasn’t ready. Dammit. He needed time.
     

    2015 Winter Anthology Support Team


     

    Anthology Coordinator



    Renee Stevens


     

    Proof Team



    Cia



    Valkyrie



    Johnathan Colourfield


     

    Anthology Banner Creation



    Mann Ramblings


  12. Renee Stevens

    Ask An Author

    By Renee Stevens,


    Anthologies
    Typically, this would have been posted last week, but better late than never. For those who don't already know, Dark provides us with the Ask An Author feature. Members send in their questions for authors and Dark goes about getting the answer and then compiles those into this wonderful feature. Don't forget, if you have a question for an author, but don't want to ask it, send it to Dark!
     

    Ask an Author #34


     
    Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!
     
    In AtA #33, we had questions for nine different authors in an extra-special feature.
     
    In AtA #34, we hear from authors ColumbusGuy, craftingmom, and pmdacey.
     
    For their protection, the members who asked these questions shall remain nameless (unless they choose to reveal themselves). Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.
     
    First up is author ColumbusGuy, who first appeared in AtA #29 a few months back. I’m sure it’ll come as a shock to know that this author is from Columbus, Ohio. You probably will remember this guy as the author of Jay & Miles, but there’s also Pompeii Passions, which is way better than the movie. Of course, I like historical fiction and convoluted characters. Still, if you haven’t branched out to some of ColumbusGuy’s other stuff, you’re missing out. For shorter works, check out his prompts. Oh, and did you know this guy likes to garden? Perhaps he can talk some sense into my black thumb…
     
    To ColumbusGuy: I think Jay and Miles is very evocative of its time and setting, and I have read in your forum that this is your first attempt at non-historical fiction, so what inspired you to begin writing the piece?
     

    In all honesty? Regrets for lost chances, and a desire to go back and explore what might-have-been. Miles' thoughts and feelings are so bound up in how I was in high school back then, that it is like a second chance to go back and do things right this time; knowing what you want in your relationships isn't enough if you don't have the courage to try for it--I had the same invitation that Miles was presented with--the very same circumstances and joking references leading up to it--despite his fears, Miles took the risk and said yes to himself, and opened up to his Jay. I didn't, and what could have been more than a casual friendship lost any hope when graduation came around.  

    More recently, the historical fiction was going well, even with some male-male experiences thrown in since they were acceptable in the Ancient World--but it was academic in a sense...it wasn't real--and the only way I could begin to gather myself together was to tell my own experience in my past where it would have made a difference. My urge to write at GA came after reading AC Benus' Dignity--it showed me how much more there could be to gay fiction than simple eroticism or blatant sex. Without that story, I wouldn't have written Jay & Miles--his was the first hand extended in friendship to a newbie. Subsequent events morphed it into more than a series of prompts.  

    I had a health scare this past summer, and I realized that if I was going to be true to myself, then I had to stop hiding behind historical creations and situations--my real dreams needed to come out into the open, hence: Jay & Miles began as a series of prompt responses--and well--Mikey and Jay just won't shut up until they tell me I've gotten myself out there completely.  

    This had been eating at me since 2007: I've had some good relationships, but none the life-long kind I'd always wanted--in that year, my longest one (and it could have been the life-fulfilling one) came to an end when my love succumbed to overwhelming stresses he was under from family and other problems and took his own life...the allegedly homophobic ex-military man came to me, sharing his feelings, his sad poetry, and himself physically and spiritually with me for years until he couldn't handle things anymore--so besides helping to reweave my past I hope I'm helping to give him some peace of mind--that in a better world, we both could have finished our lives in a happier place together.  
    Next up, in her Ask an Author debut, is Promising Author craftingmom. You can find stories from this author in many a genre, including young adult. Look her up on GoodReads under pen name Taylor Ryan. Craftingmom likes stories filled with angst. She likes taking hurt, lost, and abused characters and giving them a new start in a safe place with people who love them. Tears of the Neko was her first story here on GA, but her latest is just as compelling. Recently completed is Lie of the Serpent, a story filled with monsters, mystery, and revenge and, of course, friendships and love. Find a new character to fall in love with and read craftingmom today!
     
    To craftingmom: Is it difficult writing a character's struggle to get through abuse and hardships? Finding ways to resolve them?
     

    Yes, I cry--a lot. I often try to put myself in the character's place, getting into their head, their thoughts and feelings of guilt and hopelessness and such, relaying as much of the emotional turmoil that I think someone would almost have to be feeling in such a situation--and I try to write it as realistically as possible. I figure the more emotion and struggle that I can convey that the character is going through, the more the reader will feel it as well. I go through a lot of tissues when I'm writing highly emotional scenes, often having to stop to dry my eyes long enough to read the screen. I know that I sometimes drag my readers through a bunch of emotional turmoil, but I hope that it's because I've managed to create for them a connection to my characters that makes them feel real. Then when the resolution finally comes, I hope readers feel some satisfaction in the ending, hope that things will be better; healing takes time and patience, and of course love. Yes, I'm an emotional sap.
     
    We finish up today with author pmdacey, who comes to us from Portland, Oregon. 2014 brought us more chapters of Things are Different, which was sadly put on hold in early 2015, but was very much enjoyed by readers. It’s the story of Jay, who moves from Texas to Portland and made me wonder from early on how much was based around pmdacey’s own life. In addition, google his husband’s name to find some cool art.
     
    To pmdacey: How did you overcome the writers blocks that almost overwhelmed you the first time you tried to tell your Portland story "Things Are Different?”
     

    I have to overcome it every time I sit down to write (when I can find the time to write). I have to constantly remind myself to not care what other people think, that I am telling this story for myself. It is a story I would want to read and if other people like it, then that is a bonus. Not only that, but it is also a deeply personal tale. It is fiction, but the characters, in a sense are very real. I suppose I have always struggled with some form of writer's block and it initially took putting "Things Are Different" out there anonymously and getting some positive feedback to let me expose more and more of myself and grow some of the confidence to handle criticism. The fear of criticism is, after all, what keeps writers from putting pen to paper or an artist putting brush to canvas.  
    That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!
     
    See you next time, with authors A.C. Benus, Aditus, and the return of Mark Arbor!
     
    Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark).

    Until next time!



    Dark


  13. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Hope everyone has had a great weekend so far! Just a reminder that the Secret Santa Christmas Story Contest deadline is on the 15th. Let's get right into this week's wrap up! This is going to be quick, since I'm watching a 2 year old and worried he's going to wake up, lol.
     
    On Monday, we had the discussion day for Lilansui's story "A Rescued Life".
     
    Wednesday we announced our newest Promising Author, Headstall. If you haven't already done so, go congratulate him!
     
    Friday, we had two new prompts as well as the new poetry prompt.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    It Had to be Good! - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1929 by AC Benus
     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    Shelter by Comicality
     
    Cards on the Table by Headstall
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  14. Renee Stevens
    Finally, the end of the week and time for a couple of new prompts to inspire you. I hope everyone got in their Anthology entries, as the deadline was yesterday and it is now closed to new entries. If you had thought about doing an anthology, but wasn't able to, maybe you have a holiday themed story for the Secret Santa Christmas Contest. The deadline for that is December 15th. There are some great prizes for the top three stories, just make sure to read the rules thoroughly. Now, let's see what we have for prompts this week.
     
    Prompt 464 - Creative
    Tag -First Line
    "When are they due to arrive?"
     
    Prompt 465 - Creative
    Tag - The Storm
    Everyone is due to spend their vacation at the cabin you rented. Soon after arriving, a storm comes through the area cutting you off from civilization. Trapped, people reveal who they really are. Is this good or bad?
     
    Poetry Prompt #16
    Write one Carol suitable for the month of December. It can be a Nature-inspired song, or one based on any of the many holidays in the 12th month: Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Milad un Nabi, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, or even Festivus (for the rest of us). Have fun, but provide a lyric set of stanzas (I'd say about 4 or 5) and a refrain. Use any metre or rhyme scheme you feel is best. You can read more about this type of prompt here.
     
    I hope you enjoy the prompt responses that members have completed in the last week. (You can read/review the complete response at the link listing which prompt was used)
     
    Doctor Oger - Prompt #460
     

    Craftingmom - Tanka Poem
     

    Timothy M - Prompt #429
  15. Renee Stevens
    Please join the Author Promotion Team in congratulating Headstall as GA's newest promoted author! Headstall joined the site in April of 2014 and only started writing earlier this year. Headstall has become a favorite of many on site. Not just for his ongoing serial story, Cards On The Table, but for his reviewing of many stories on site. Headstall writes both fiction and poetry and we look forward to seeing what other stories he brings to the site! Check out his work.




  16. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I hope everyone has had a great weekend, and for those who celebrated, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Before we get into the wrap up, I'd like to remind everyone once again that the Winter Anthology is just around the corner. If you have a story that you plan to submit, the deadline is coming up fast. I hope to see even more stories come in over the next few days. Now, lets see what happened this past week.
     
    For our Monday featured story, we had a review from LitLover of JohnAR's story MetaShadowlands.
     
    Wednesday we started our new blog feature, Author Promo's. Our pilot post was focused on Carlos Hazday and three of his stories. Want to know which stories? Check out the post!
     
    Friday we revisited some of the first Poetry Prompts that AC Benus has been providing the site. Hopefully one of the prompts inspired you to try your hand at poetry.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd 2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    Attempts at Poetry by craftingmom
     

    Black Widow by Mark Arbour
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    Agenda 21 by Comicality
     

    No Flash by Cia
     

    Katie's Sketchbook - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976 by AC Benus
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    HMS Valiant by Mark Arbour; Book 7 of Bridgemont
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  17. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Carlos Hazday

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's time to start our new blog feature: Author Promos! Authors were allowed to choose up to three of their stories to be promoted in the blog. For each story, they had the same three questions to answer. For our debut blog entry, we're bringing you Carlos Hazday with his stories Melvin Ford, Children of the Dust, and Happy New Year. Enjoy!
     

    Carlos Hazday



    Author



    16 stories * 777 reviews * 287,170 total words


     

    Melvyn Ford

     
    Description: A 1929 Ford Model A Tudor is passed from father to son, through several generations.
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     

    The idea for the story came from a photo prompt posted by Comicfan.  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     

    Aside from the obvious close family ties described, I loved being able to hint at societal changes taking place in the United States in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.  
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     

    The story blurs the lines between gay/non-gay stories. Historical and fictional events are mixed together, to provide a backdrop for the love affair between four men, and the car they all own at some point. It’s a subtle commentary on how Americans, and their attitudes towards same sex relationships, have changed over time.  


    Children of the Dust

     
    Description: The story of two young men, and how the Vietnam War affected their lives.
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     

    The idea for the story came from an article about Ameriasian kids I’d read the week prior to writing it.  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     

    I enjoyed working out the way the two main characters connected initially and then reconnected after many years.  
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     

    Although the story is fictional, the historical events are accurate. The fall of Saigon meant an unknown number of children, fathered by American GIs, where trapped in a country which had no use for them.  


    Happy New Year

     
    Description: The Lumberjack & The Professor
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     

    A comment about one of my stories having characters who were stereotypical gay fantasies made me want to write about a connection being made between blue and white collar workers which wasn’t stereo typical itself. Around that time, someone on Facebook replied to one of my posts by telling me I racism was not a problem in America any more. Ha!  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     

    Setting it in the middle of Minnesota was a challenge for someone who lives on the beach. But I fell in love with the northern woods a long time ago while traveling in the area. I was fun to dredge up those memories.  
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     

    Although this is a love story, racism plays a part in strengthening the bond between the characters.
  18. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Metashadowlands

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's a new week and it's time to take a look at one of the many stories that are posted for your enjoyment on Gay Authors. Today, Liltlover has provided us with a review of MetaShadowlands. Enjoy.
     

    MetaShadowlands


    by



    JohnAR


    Author


     
    Reviewer: Litlover
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 102,329
     
    MetaShadowlands is the third book of the MetaWolf series by JohnAR. Most readers will attest to the fact that the Meta series is a series unlike any others you have probably read. Love it or hate it, there is little doubt that it is not your everyday werewolf story. Fair warning to those of you who haven’t read the first two books in the series, this review may contain spoilers.
     
    MetaShadowlands is centered around (1) Colt Parker: a sometimes abrasive, occasionally hard to like, but highly intelligent, self-depreciating nerd with a strong Dominant streak, and (2) the wolf pack he has become the “Meta” for.
     
    The first book in the series explained how a Meta is an individual with power over the Alpha and the inner circle of a pack, providing guidance and direction to a pack that is traditionally ruled exclusively by instinct. The Meta is an evolution in some modern day packs to help wolves deal with the reality that brains, more than brawn, are required for success in today’s world. In this book Colt is becoming more comfortable with his role as Meta and using the power that comes with it.
     
    In the last book, MetaOrigins, Colt learned something about himself that had the potential to rip the pack apart. MetaShadowlands starts with Colt being separated from his wolves and coming to terms with his choices and dealing with the consequences of his actions. In MSL the pack as a whole is changing and evolving. They are fighting rogue wolves, seemingly treacherous wolf packs and vampires, with one vampire Queen in particular continuing to cause them no end of trouble. They are also challenging for land and cultivating allies with other packs around the world in preparation for an anticipated war against the vampires. As always, Fate (and I capitalize Fate on purpose) has wielded her influence in the lives of the wolves and has worked to bring the pack together.
     
    Colt has a strong dominant streak, and he likes to dominate hunky men, especially marines. Lucky for him most of the wolves in his pack are ex-marines, heavily muscled and submissive to him. As the pack is dealing with all of the upheaval in their lives Colt is still “sniffing out” new pack members. We meet more new wolves in this book, including Sam Sr., Leo and Warren. We are also re-introduced to Al. Other secondary characters come in to play in this book, including Prime’s brother, Seb, and his girlfriend Emma, who has potential to be a great confidant for Colt, if he ever loosens up and trusts anybody.
     
    Thrown into the mix are the Meta Prompts chapters, which John posts weekly, before each new series chapter. These prompt chapters give readers more maddening clues to unlock the mysteries of the MetaVerse. The prompts should be read in the order intended to prevent accidental “spoilers.”
    In Colt, John has created a character that often causes a furor of reactions in readers ranging from wanting to slap him to wanting to hug him. Colt is not your traditional cuddly hero. We continue the debates from book 1 and 2 about the role of scents in this world and whether or not those scents can or do translate to love. The opinions of Colt’s actions and ideas often cause a lot of ranting and debate in the forum, which, for me, is a part of the fun of Meta.
     
    One of the first lessons you need to learn in the MetaVerse is that you have to be careful who you trust because nothing and no one are what they seem at first glance. John loves nothing more than to pepper each chapter with obscure hints and red herrings and watch us spin in circles as we try to decipher meaning behind normally benign actions and conversations. There are cliff-hangers and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat while cursing Colt, the wolves, John and your computer.
     
    I came to this series from a unique position compared to many other MetaWolf readers. Anyone who knows me on GA, knows that I am, in general, a sappy romantic and don’t care for stories involving polyamorous relationships or ménage storylines. However, I decided to test my own boundaries and give the story a chance. I went into the first book thinking that I would give it an honest try, but did not expect to get past the first few chapters. I have now finished book 4 in the series, which should give you an indication of my revised opinion about this story.
     
    Although I still am not a fan of polyamory or ménage I have (semi)jokingly told John that I deal with those aspects of the story by imagining the pack are just a group of REALLY close army buddies. I will never enjoy polyamorous relationship stories or ménage storylines, but I have found that this story is less a romance and more a dark mystery and adventure, with a little BDSM and steamy nerd on wolf sex thrown into the mix.
     
    Regardless of whether you want to hug Colt or strangle him (or our sadistic, closed mouth author for that matter), I can guarantee that you will not be bored reading MetaShadowlands. I challenge you to give the MetaWolf series a try. John has now posted 4 complete books and has started posting his 5th of 8 books in the series, so there is still a lot more debate and ranting to come if you want to join us in the forum to vent.
  19. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Confounded

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's time to take a look at another story. This week, Timothy M has provided us with a review of Confounded by Andr0gene. This is actually one of my favorite stories by Andr0gene and I've re-read it a few times. I hope that you enjoy it as much as Timothy and I did.
     

    Confounded


    by



    Andr0gene



    Promising Author


     

    Reviewer: Timothy M.

    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 24,632

     
    What happens when a self-confident, possessive but caring man with a huge capacity for love and sex falls head over heels in love with a sarcastic, prickly and skeptical guy who isn’t used to showing his feelings and has no intention of getting involved with his boss? Yup, you’ve guessed it: Sparks fly!
     
    Nobody does this scenario better than Andr0gene, and my favorite story is Confounded I (together with the even better, but as yet Incomplete sequel Confounded II). Meet Mitchell and Taylan who might be said to embody the concept ‘Opposites attract.’ They spend the early part of the story teasing and arguing, while being hopelessly drawn to each other. Fireworks are probably more accurate than sparks, and whirlwind romance and seduction could be other good descriptions for Confounded.
     
    The story switches from one POV to the other, and while this may be confusing in some stories, it works well here. We start off with Mitchell explaining his interest in Taylan and go on to chuckle about Taylan‘s mistaken belief that his boss is straight and married. Of course, he’s somewhat excused, because Mitchell does have a son, Kit, who plays a huge role in his life as well as in the story. In addition, Kit is the main character in the sequel, even though we also learn more about the volatile, but fun relationship of the two adults.
     
    It’s kind of hard to pin down why I appreciate the way Confounded is written. But the dialogue and the internal comments from both men make me laugh, and I have several favorite scenes and phrases I like to revisit. The McDonalds breakfast, the game store visit, the ‘sexual preferences’ talk, and of course the initial scene where Taylan tries to brush Mitchell off. The latter features these typical reactions of Taylan towards his boss:
     
    He glanced sideways with those slate-grey eyes of his. At the moment, there was a curious look in them, but for some reason, I got the weird thought that they could become stormy if he was angered enough.
    ***
    That was the damn problem with him; he was an asshole, yes, but a damn attractive one. Well, that's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? This beholder thought he was; I couldn't deny that he was attractive.
    ***
    "We had a server crash today because someone was downloading heavily. De mail server bottomed out."
    Almost immediately, his eyes went, tada; stormy. Uh-oh, not good.
    "Who?" Came the curtly asked question through clenched teeth.
    "That's what I'm trying to find out," I replied shortly, "so...if you don't mind? Sir?"
     
    The situation deteriorates from there, and while Mitchell may be domineering and determined, he has more than met his match in Taylan. There is tearful drama, but it’s fun and heartwarming, and I couldn’t help cheering Mitchell on in his pursuit of Taylan. I also felt proud of Taylan for knowing when to fight and when to fold and accept the inevitable. You might be surprised at what it took.
     
    Please give Confounded a try, and if we’re enough readers yelling for ‘More!’ I’m sure Andr0gene will finish the sequel. Part 2 is already more than twice the length of Part 1 and has even more fun, drama, tears, and romance. Don’t hesitate to read both, because the main issues of the sequel have been resolved, and we’re simply waiting for the mop-up. Or even better: for Andr0gene to be inspired to unfold new scenarios featuring the awesome, huggable guys of Confounded.
     
    There is a story topic, but it's been inactive since 2011 http://www.gayauthor...ded#entry292373, but the sequel has a story discussion topic which has been more recently active: http://www.gayauthor...ounded-part-ii/.
  20. Renee Stevens

    Writing Tip: Grammar Rodeo #7

    By Renee Stevens,


    Writing Tips
    The hardest part of self-editing is knowing when you're doing something wrong if you don't actually know you're doing something wrong. You might have an inkling and check a reputable source and figure out how to fix your sentence or story, but, other times, you might think you know what you're doing yet still get it wrong. But sometimes we're taught wrong. I think many older authors will recognize these grammar don't rules that are really grammar do rules!
     


    Grammar Myths We All Know Wrong


     

    Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
    First off a preposition is a word that relates time, place, or direction. Basically, everyone knows preposition words like on, over, down, up, but let’s give some examples of each of the basic prepositions you’ll commonly find or use.
     
    For Example:
    Prepositions with Place: These words link the noun with a particular spot, indicating location or position.
    Near: He parked near my car in the lot.
    Off: The cat jumped off the counter.
    Behind: The extinguisher is behind the door.
     
    Prepositions with Time: These words tell us when something is happening.
    On: We play jokes on April Fool’s Day.
    At: Dinner is at six.
    In: Christmas is in December.
     
    Prepositions with Direction: These relate to movement of the subject.
    Over: We flew over the mountains.
    To: We drove to the party.
    Across: The ball bounced across the floor.
     
    Now, you’ll notice that none of those sentences end with a preposition. But plenty of times a sentence can end with a preposition and still be correct. The myth that it is “proper English” not to do so comes from severely outdated rules that apply to Latin contructs. Well… we don’t speak Latin anymore, and the English language is constantly evolving. It is unnecessary formal to always bury the preposition inside a sentence.
     
    For example:
     
    The little boy had no one to play with vs. The little boy had no one with whom to play.
    Who were you talking to? vs. To whom were you talking?
    There’s nothing to be scared of vs. There’s nothing of which to be scared.
     
    Which would you use? Which sounds more natural? Of course, most of the time you can find a way to place the preposition within the sentence, but if you can’t, don’t worry about it! Go ahead and drop it at the end of a sentence and move on!
     
    Beginning a Sentence with a Conjunction
    I bet students who had this rule drummed into them as kids caught my gaffe earlier in this post where I used ‘But’ to begin a sentence. It wasn’t a mistake though, because it isn't actually improper grammar. This is something that I was corrected on and smacked hands over a few years back before I learned better. Let's see how authors have been ignoring this so-called ‘rule’ for forever.
     
    For Example:
     
    In a Romeo and Juliet the play begins with two Capulet men having a discussion in Verona where this so called ‘rule’ is ignored:
    Sampson says, “I strike quickly, being moved.”
    Gregory says, “But thou are not quickly moved to strike.”
     
    The first pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has:
    I got into my old rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and was free and satisfied. But Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable. So I went back.
     
    Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Book One Prologue has this passage in the prologue:
    They are possessed from the first the art of disappearing swiftly and silently, when large folk whom they do not wish to meet come blundering by; and this art they have developed until to Men it may seem magical. But hobbits have not, in fact, studied magic of any kind, and their elusiveness is due solely to a professional skill that hereditary and practice, and a close friendship with the earth, have rendered inimitable by bigger and clumsier races.
     
    Chapter One of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins uses:
    The last thing I needed was another mouth to feed. But Prim begged so hard, cried even, that I had to let him stay.
     
    So if you feel like starting a sentence with and, but, for… feel free!
  21. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    We're going to get right into the wrap up this week, starting with a reminder. The winter anthology deadline is coming up quick and we've only had a couple of entries so far. If you want to participate in the anthology, you need to have your stories to the Anthology Proof Team by December 3rd. Hope to see lots more entries come in! Now, let's see what happened in the GA news blog this past week.
     
    This week was our Signature Author week and we started it out by featuring CJames with our new Signature Author Feature. Not only does the author get a banner that displays in GA Stories for the next month, but a smaller banner is also included for anyone to use as their signature. If you liked the start of the week, you should check out the excerpt that went up on Wednesday to finish out the Signature feature.
     
    If you're in the mood to write a Christmas short story, you really should check out the post about this years Secret Santa Short Story contest! Entries are due by December 15th, but make sure to check out the entry rules and submission procedure.
     
    Friday brought a couple of new prompts to the table for both new and experienced authors to play with. If you've thought about writing, but haven't yet taken the plunge, the prompts are a great way to get started. For the featured story, we featured JohnAR's newest prompt response.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd 2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus
     
    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     
    Pierre and the Ambiguities – A Filmscript by AC Benus
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     

    Katie's Sketchbook - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976 by AC Benus
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     

    The Caretaker by Rob Colton
     
    Shorts to Jump Into by craftingmom

     
    No Flash by Cia
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Twenty-Two Early Poems by AC Benus

    Grip by Topher_Lydon
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  22. Renee Stevens
    Have you started working on your Secret Santa Short Story contest entry? If you haven't, and are still trying to come up with ideas for it, maybe one of today's prompts will jump start something for you. Also, another reminder, if you want to participate in the Winter Anthology, the deadline to have your story to the proof team is December 3rd. Now, let's see what prompts we have for today, shall we?
     
    Prompt 460 - Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “Who invited you?”
     
    Prompt 461 – Creative
    Tag – The Curse
    You’ve had a wonderful night out with friends. While going from the restaurant to a movie, the group passes a shop promising to tell your fortunes. One of your friends drags the group in. When the gypsy teller gets to you, she stops and the color drains from her face. When you ask what is wrong, she states she knows you are cursed. What is it you are cursed with?
     
    This week I've decided to share JohnAR's prompt response to prompt 458, Enjoy!
     

    You can finish reading, here.
  23. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Oops! It seems like last night I was a bit spacey and forgot to do the weekly wrap up before I went to bed. Guess it's better late than never, right? Even though it's not in the blog directly, in this weeks wrap up, I want to include the opportunity for promotional posts. For more information on this opportunity, check out this post: Authors: New Blog Promo Opportunities!
     
    On Monday, Cia posted the newest CSR introduction to the CSR Book Club. This month, it looks like we'll be reading A Rescued Life By Lilansui with the CSR Discussion happening on November 30th.
     
    Wednesday brought us a special edition of Dark's Ask An Author feature. Nine authors all answering the same question and they're all different answers.
     
    Friday brought our weekly Prompt Me entry. Two brand new prompts for you to play with, including one with a clown. For the featured prompt response, we featured Jamessavik's response to the week before.
     
    Normally, the weekly posts would end there, but this week we had an additional post on Saturday. Changes are coming for the site blog, and Saturday's post tells all about them, plus gives you the new blogs to follow.
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd 2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th

    By our Promoted Authors:
     
    The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*
     
    The Holly and the Ivy by aditus; Book 1 of The King's Mate
     
    Thwarted by Renee Stevens
     

    Pierre and the Ambiguities – A Filmscript by AC Benus
     
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
     
    Katie's Sketchbook - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976 by AC Benus
     
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings
     
    The Caretaker by Rob Colton
     
    No Flash by Cia
     

    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    Aditus' prompts and circumstances by aditus

    GA Writing Prompts by Dolores Esteban

    Toy Soldiers by Dabeagle
     
    Grip by Topher_Lydon
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  24. Renee Stevens
    Happy Prompt Day!!! Otherwise known as Friday. I hope everyone has had a great week and are getting geared up for the weekend. Have you ever tackled one of the prompts provided by Comicfan? If not, what better time is there than now? Each week, Comicfan provides two brand new prompts to help get the ideas flowing. Don't forget to share your prompt responses in the forum and if you're posting in GA Stories, remember that all stories under 1,000 words must be posted as part of a collection. Now, let's see what Comicfan has for us this week.
     
    Prompt 458 – Creative
    Tag – List of Words
    Use the following in a story – a yellow rose, a goodbye note, a stuffed rabbit, balloons, and a fork.
     
    Prompt 459 – Creative
    Tag – The Clown
    You were invited to your boss’s party for his daughter. Although you weren’t really interested, you figured it was a good way to help you get on his good side. Once you arrive you find yourself relaxing and talking to the other adults. Everything is fine until you see the clown who was hired for the party. What about the clown draws your attention?
     
    Last week, wildone supplied a couple of past prompts. Jamessavik responded:
     

    Read the rest, here.
  25. Renee Stevens

    Ask An Author #33

    By Renee Stevens,


    Anthologies
    I can't believe it's already November! The great thing about it being the start of a new month, is it's time for a new Ask An Author feature and this one is a Special Edition! For those who don't know, Ask An Author is when members send their questions for their favorite authors to Dark and they ask the questions. So remember, if you have a question you want to ask, but don't want to do the asking, send it to Dark!
     

    Ask an Author #33


     
    Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!
     
    In AtA #32, we had questions for authors Aditus, Cia, and Wolfwriter.
     
    In AtA #33, we have a special feature for you: 3 x 3 or nine different authors with the same question to answer. This is a question that is asked by many a person, with just as many different answers. Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.
     
    And the question is … What made you decide to write m/m fiction?
     
    Andy78: I've always enjoyed writing stories since I was a child. However, I only started writing m/m when I joined GA. The simple fact is that until I joined here I didn't have an outlet for any m/m fiction.
     
    BarricadeBoy: Well i started reading gay fiction back in 2013 and it grew fron there- i wanted to create my own characters and i knew GA was the best place to do it, and i was right. It all started with a Story i read here called "A Class By Himself."
     
    CassieQ: I decided to write m/m fiction because I like to read m/m fiction. Once I find something that I'm really interested in, I can't wait to try it out and add my own flavor to it.
     
    Cia: I read everything, so I write everything, including MM. I found GA as a writing 'home' because the writing community here is so encouraging to newcomers. The feedback kept me motivated to finish stories for the first time ever... and the rest is history!
     
    Jammi: I loved the dynamics of male relationships. Best friends like brothers, realizing what they felt went beyond friendship. I loved writing stories like that. I also felt like there weren't enought gay stories out there and definitely not enough visibility for the gay community. I just wanted to be a part of that
     
    Krista: For me, I got into M/M fiction because of my gay male friends. They had found M/M fiction sites, but didn't like that it was mostly pornographic smut. They wanted more romance, something they could relate to being in a closed-minded small town. They had found some good stories and had sent them to me. So I started writing and sending them what I had. I started writing other romances on the side, but it was their encouragement from reading the M/M that got me hooked. By that time they had gotten more out of the closet and more willing to expand their search for other gay people. I stopped sending them what I had written. So my audience changed from them to readers on the internet. I did well enough for it to encourage me to continue.
     
    The stories I write are also stories that I want to read, so that helps.
     
    layla: I'd written with the same characters for almost 17 years, their stories had gone all over the place, but there always seemed to be a lingering connection between two of the guys and one day I decided simply to begin exploring it. The story simply begged to be told and once I got into writing it, I found myself really enjoying what I was doing. To me its not so much about the genre but about giving the characters what they want. Not to mention that I have never been a big fan of m/f stories and despite being female don't really enjoy writing female characters, so it just seemed a very natural genre for me to write in.
     
    Mann Ramblings: I'm old enough to have grown up without any visibility of gay characters in movies, stories; etc, that wasn't a serial killer or other affected comic relief. There was so little in entertainment that reflected the person I tried to hide. Positive examples of gay men and women were virtually non-existent. I wanted to see the domineering hero save his buddy and bed him down, not the obligatory girl placed in to prove his unerring heterosexuality. I wanted to see and read the stories that I never got to see and read.
     
    When I first found M/M fiction, I was looking for porn, to be honest, but then I found out there were real stories out there with quality writing! The hero can get the guy! Who knew? I always had a knack for storytelling and now I have the chance to write the stories that were missing from my life. I can't give it up now.
     
    Renee Stevens: I’ve been asked similar questions a number of times. To be honest, I never have a good answer. I used to read (and write) M/F romance, but it seemed like it was always the same and it was hard to find something that hadn't been done. I can't remember the exact details, but somehow I ended up reading a story by Sara Bell called "The Magic In Your Touch". I thoroughly enjoyed it and joined her yahoo group. She allowed other people to post stories and not only did I meet a lot of wonderful people, many of which became good friends, but I read countless stories.
     
    After reading Sara’s story, and a few others, I decided that I wanted to see what I could do in the Gay Romance genre. My reasoning at the time was that as a M/F Romance writer I would have less chance of getting published as it is so hard to get noticed amongst all the other authors that write M/F romance. With a lot of encouragement from the friends I met through Sara’s group, I started my first M/M story and Eternity was the result. It's quite a bit rougher than my more recent works, but it was the first M/M story I completed. I ran it by my friends and they really enjoyed it and encouraged me to keep going, so here I am .
     
    That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!
     
    See you next time, with an extra-special edition of Ask an Author!
     
    Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark).

    Until next time!



    Dark


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