wildone

I'm going out on a limb here and guess that most of you are in the northern hemisphere, so I apologize to our southerners. Yet this discussion is for all of you! I haven't yet gone camping this year, but my intentions are going to be gone for a few weekends here and there. I am a roughing ii as a camper in the sense that I pitch a tent, set up a canopy over the picnic table, have a propane stove, have no running water, electricity or sewer. Yes, the local outhouse is my plumbing You have to have your own toilet paper too, as the single ply that you get in an shyte shack is not good, just not good . Depending on where I go, their might be coin showers, but when you are only going for 2 to 3 days I will just use a lake or river. Now I have to acknowledge that in a lot of places, this summer is ridiculous for heat waves. Notice how for many years we had heat waves and now someone has coined them as heat domes? So not sure if you are a camper or not, and if you would go out without air conditioning. I've met some cute guys camping, no, not in that way. I've met some late teen German buddies doing a trip across Canada for the one's bachelor party. They had a pickup truck and less than me for camping gear, so I invited them over some beers and sit around the fire. They practiced their English, and me my German. There was the Columbian guys, 3 that seemed better prepared for camping and going across Canada to celebrate graduating university. I've met people while setting up or taking down, or bike riding or just walking around. It seems when you are camping, there is another level of community that you don't see in a city or even a town. Everyone is your neighbour and you get to know them in little ways. I won't bring up how my neighbours felt when some friends and I nearly burnt down a campsite though So do you camp? Are you like some people's idea that camping is getting a 5-star hotel room located in the forest? Do you own a recreational vehicle from a huge motorhome with slide-outs and power everything. Maybe right down to the original tent trailers that you can set up lickity split in no time. Do you tent like me? Now if you have or haven't gone camping recently, is there a good camping story that you can tell? One time I was trying to set up my tent in a torrential downpour in Mount Robison Provincial Park and realized I somehow left my tarp for the tent at the previous nights campground around 800 kms away 😮 Couldn't blame anyone else for not packing it in the back of the truck. Switched to hanging a huge tarp at a good angle for draining and set up my tent, pumped up my air mattress and settled down to a nice rainy nights sleep, when the rain stopped for the night . Oh the fun!! When and if you go camping, where do you like to go? LIke I said I need some water that is good enough to swim in to cool down and enjoy the coolness. Have you heard of glamping? I guess it is a tent basically with the comforts of a hotel room on an elevated platform. I imagine you get the mosquitos and such, but nothing that you are responsible for setting up, the resort or campground handles all that. Now that I'm back after talking to a friend and we are going the second weekend of August hopefully, shall we look back at the week that was? Monday was an opportunity for Cia to throw a monkey wrench in the usual CSR (Can't Stop Reading) blog. She featured last years Secret Author Contest: Tuesday, Myr dressed up like a Poet, is there a poet's choice of clothes , and did the Poetry Deep Dive: Friday, Val contributed to the whole Secret Author contest's due date, July 16th, to give some prompts if you want to deal with a secret but in a maybe shorter version: Howdy do on the Words of the Day? I'm so punny light, shelter, joy, celebration, hopeful, reborn, tomorrow Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 16, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 7 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories The Vanguard of the Silver Boar by Topher Lydon They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories In the Barb by Vcs Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Hurly-Burly by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L **Completed** Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Between the Two by Grayson Rose The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Suburbia by irivera Ark II: Life on Gaea by R. Eric Run, Hamster, Run! by Winged_Wolf Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Alpha Awakened by Painawakened A Fine Line of Smoke by Tony S. **Completed** THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas IceBerg by J92 Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose Static & Steel by sumtimesIwrite Blades of Ashes by lilansui Adventures Of Joy City's Heroes: Book 2 by Ticklishboy30 Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Completed** turmoil by Paladin Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Bro Code: Spotting Protocol by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

I do remember finding GA wayyyyy back in the early days of the internets and there were message boards that you had to go to to find gay fiction. That was weird when I think back to then. Then I found Nifty and early on there, I found a comment about stories on GA. Then from GA, they had links to other sites too, so I was wandering around GA, Nifty, AwesomeDude, CRVboy, and others. I would say I morphed away from the others after a while, but occasionally still look in on them. I discovered great writers like @Topher Lydon and @Mike Arram at other sites. I'm so glad that they post here now as well. Adding in like Krista, @DomLuka and so many others I was hooked. I actually have met a lot of famous people in my past jobs, stars lets say, but one trip down to California, I met up with @viv and her then husband and @shadowgod and I was soooooo nervous. I think Authors are the real stars out there and the ones at GA are not making millions and taking their fans for granted. Have you hugged your nearest Author or Poet lately? Back in 2009, I was in a horrible car crash and spent about a year off work. Myr was in the process of switching the hosted to signature and getting eFic into the Stories App and he put me to good work in transferring stories over. We also had a lot of dedicated authors help with the transition over, that is until @Myr allowed @Krista some access and she broke the whole system . Smart call on not letting her be an Admin, Myr As I got more involved in the site, Trebs, a former admin (RIP), approached me about becoming a universal Mod. Back then we had universal mod, which was Mod for the whole site, and we also had some chat mods when we had a chat room. I think this was also when I got to know Krista and my life has been for the worse better ever since A few years ago I was in the background knowing a teeny, tiny bit of what costs are like in the background and I knew that I could give a little to keep the site I love a little boost and have been getting premium memberships since. So I guess I'm a Premium Volunteer Admin . If you can afford, even like the ever loose @Jason Rimbaud suggested, it would be so much appreciated. Now why I have stuck around comes down to 1 thing only. The people. The people includes the Authors, the Editors, the Poets, the volunteers, the members!! All of you make coming back each day such a pleasure. I think that Myr gave this site the platform to create a standalone community that I'm sure other sites would kill for, and by each of you making a decision to join and participate, makes it all right.

Well a belated Happy 250th Birthday to our American neighbours Someone told me @Myr came over, not on the Mayflower, but another boat and tossed tea into Boston Harbour . Seems kind of far fetched though . So question 1 for all out Weekly Wrap Up readers, if you live in the U S of A, did you do anything special on Saturday or Saturday night. Or are you still celebrating on Sunday AM when this is posted? 250 years is quite a long time, in North American terms. Also a happy belated 159 years on Wednesday past to Canada. We hung around with the British for a little bit longer . If you are a fellow Canuck, did you do anything interesting on Canada Day? It was on a Wednesday, so it seemed like things were a little subdued with most people working the day before and the day after the holiday. Me, I met up with a few friends and we went down to watch the 1/2 hour firework show downtown. Now, that we are past July 3rd, I have to say a big and loud OOOOOHAY Oh, I got that one backwards Friday was the kickoff of my favourite event, the Calgary Stampede. If you want to come to Calgary to see the World's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth or see the second largest attended and entries for a parade next to the Rose Bowl Parade in California, let me know, I will fill you in. Also, @Valkyrie can let you know about all the prim and proper horse jumping events at Spruce Meadows going on too 🏇 Now here is the main question for EVERYONE. Country and Western Music I would say is a divisive genre of music, like most others to be honest. I usually find listening to 5 minutes or more makes me edgy and grumpy 😮 Not sure why, but the music does that to me. I know a lot of you LOVE it though . However, I have to admit that her majesty Reba Mcentire I love and can listen to all day. I would even say that although I'm gay, I'd pursue her . So, even if you hate the country genre, you must have one favourite song? I know the European Nations have country singers, so let us know about one in your country, maybe South Asian singers? Australian, can I bring up Keith Urban at this time? Anywho, let us all know . How about you East Asians, any Japanese country singers rocking it out? Now, finally, onto the Wrap Up Monday, was a blank day. We have those occasionally at the end of a month. Tuesday, Myr got the ball rolling with a Deep Dive into the genre of Paranormal: We jump to Wednesday, where in the afternoon where I live, Cia brought forward a very important reminder about the deadline to get you Secret Author entry in by July 15th! Remember, only let Cia and your editor, if you have one, know about it. I would make both swear on their own graves to not release who you are 🪦. Then Cia can get them all together and start releasing. Then the fun and games begin : Finally on Friday, Aditus told us to all Dress Less How much less is up to you in these fun prompts. Personally I wonder how much less you will go : Now if you are thinking, how much longer can this blog go on, do not fret , as it will keep going on . Myr brought us 7 new Words of the Day: legacy, rekindle, sanctuary, promise, flourish, dawn, restore Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! We had a little less this week, I'm hoping because everyone is working on their Secret Author project Still, we had 9 completed stories. 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Rumspringa by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon **Complete** tim's Bits and Pieces by Mikiesboy 0 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories No stories 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 In the Barb by Vcs Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Strife by CryingCircusConductor Static & Steel by sumtimesIwrite Bro Code: Spotting Protocol by Boy Mercury X **Complete** THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L The Fourth of July by chris191070 **Complete** A Fine Line of Smoke by Tony S. Pigsty by Jack Poignet Barnaby and the Accidental Apprentices by chris191070 **Complete** IceBerg by J92 Taking A Chance by Ticklishboy30 **Complete** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill White Sheets by Celian Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel **Complete** The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 **Complete** The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Blades of Ashes by lilansui turmoil by Paladin Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox No Such Place as Neverland (based off comicfan prompt #110) by JJQuinn Father's Day Strip-Off by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose 0 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

How Unibomber of you with your advice

Technically speaking, it is still June 27th in my neck of the woods. Technically speaking it might be June 28th in your neck of the woods. Technically speaking, it could be June 29th in your neck of the woods. What am I technically trying to say You have less than 6 months to decide what to buy me as my Christmas present this year OH, and less than 2 weeks to get your Secret Author entry in!! Let's move on, shall we. I'm trying to see if I'm missing any important days on Sunday, like I did last week with Daddy's day. Yes, we have our resident Daddy but this is a belated wish to all the fathers out there. I know there is one or two of you. In the week ahead, I'm going to give a shout out to my native land, Germany. Oh wait, born there, technically speaking West Germany, left when I was 2, don't have citizenship, so it doesn't really count. So my native land is Canada and we have our birthday celebrations on July 1st. Also next week, America hits 250 years old. I have to say you don't look a day over 249 . If your country is also having a birthday celebration, shout it out Speaking of birthdays, I want to reminisce for a few seconds, so humour me please. Back in the olden days when Myr was a young wiper snapper and Cia was in jumpers we used to have an option to put in our ages and birthdays too in our profile I think! We would have tons of Birthday wishes being made to members from groups, individuals and such. It was a much simpler time. As time moved forward and the baddies started combing the interwebs for ways to steal people's identities and steal from others on their behalf, new rules came out. I know Europe was one of the first ones. I'm not sure if it was a good or a bad thing, and I think we are past discussing it, but the world we live in we cannot ask someone to post their age or their birthday anymore . So if you have had a birthday in the past 364 days or today is your birthday, then a giant Happy Birthday to you . I miss the good old days, somedays. I know that when I have nothing really to say, I turn to the weather It is always a great conversation starter. I hear that people in London and Paris are leaving their flats and apartments in the cities and sleeping on the grass at night to escape the blistering heat that they are having . I know some areas of the States are continuing to have drought conditions. No rain or what rain in the past few years is drying up and ground water disappearing too! I guess I'm happy to say up here around me we have been having ridiculous rainfall. Our water tables were falling but they are back to normal and some areas are so saturated, they can't take more rain and are flooding. I think back years ago and different parts of the world all had different calamities and such due to weather, just we never had the news and internet to tell us what was going on outside of your city, state/province, country. Now we know if a rain drop falls in the Western Sahara. So this week, tell me what they weather is like where you live and what is the overall outlook for July? Oh, here we are supposed to be super hot and giant mosquitoes invading with all the rain we are having 😮. What the heck, what is the mosquito situation you are in as well? Are blood bank donations going down due to no one having any extra blood to give? Onto the more serious stuff, here is what happened at the GA New Blog this week. Oh, before we start, I just want to say I've seen some of the new layout of the forums page coming soon, and I like it!! So stay tuned for that! Consider this a teaser . This week we kicked off the broadcasting week with Myr checking into the Non-Fiction category. I noticed a few new names in there: Do you remember last week when I said on Wednesday, you have to pay attention for the June Signature Feature Excerpt? Well, Cia posted it this week: Friday, Val was back after being ill(egal) and brought some prompts up about her personal childhood, in the penguin enclosure at the zoo Check them out: Saturday, we got another double dose of Myr in the Weekly Wrap Up, when he posted a great new Writing Tip: If that was not enough Myr for you, he also gave us a few new Words of the Day: aftermath, consequence, reckless, contemplation, acceptance, mourning, gratitude Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! 7 completed stories this week! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 9 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon Rumspringa by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray 32 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories Pace Control by Soren Kraft **Complete** Strife by CryingCircusConductor Father's Day Strip-Off by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Holiday Drama by quokka Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Barnaby and the Zoo Logistics Paradox by chris191070 **Complete** A Grave So Haunting by solemnity Crash Journal of Fraser Vogel by Lee Wilson **Complete** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Between the Times by Celian The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy In the Barb by Vcs IceBerg by J92 The Cwtch. by E K Stokes **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Between the Two by Grayson Rose turmoil by Paladin THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox An Empirical Study of Fluid Dynamics and Temporal Anomalies by chris191070 **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories Kintsugi of the Soul by Jean87 **Complete** Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

I do apologize to all the Daddy's out there. I only found out today was Father's day 😮 Happy Father's Day all!!!

I'm writing this early on Saturday as I may or may not be able to write on Saturday evening I'm off to watch a Canadian Football game this evening. I guess there is some soccer tournament going on as well in Canada, Mexico and the US of A As I'm writing this, the tunder and ligting has started 😮 Hope it ends before the game. I usually get a lot of silence when I talk sports. I know though a lot of the world doesn't have the US and Canada's interest in our major sports, football (North American), Baseball, Hockey, Basketball, etc. So if you call the game we call soccer, football, let me know if you are cheering on your country's team ⚽ Or, if you watch a sport outside of FB, BB,Hockey, BB like Cricket, Bowling, etc, let us know! Today is actually the loooooooooooooooooongest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shortest day of the year in the South. I'm sure if you live on the equator you don't really give a hoot. If you live at the North Pole, you are probably close to 24 hours sunlight everyday. In the south, nearly 24 hours black out I wonder if blackout curtains and blinds have the highest sales per capita near the poles Since it is the longest day, do you do anything to celebrate it? Sounds silly but I used to try to be out camping on this day every year. To be sitting out by the fire watching the sun go down around 10 PM and continue to watch the crackle of the fire into the night. In my much younger days, we would stay up and watch the sun come up at around 5:15 AM. To be honest, I will be going to bed when I get home and will get up at around 9 tomorrow. Too old to be doing that anymore . Enough random babbling and onto the Wrap Up. Isn't that the reason we all check in weekly? Monday, Cia introduced us to the June Signature Feature: Tuesday, Myr popped by in between his travels to check on the Mystery genre: If you were looking for the Signature Feature Excerpt this Wednesday, stay tuned Thursday, Wildone did a Flashback to the first annual Secret Author Contest. No one took me up on guessing who wrote what story . Friday, if you don't usually look at the Prompts (shame on you! ), you need to look at the this weeks just for the gif that Aditus posted. While doing that see if the great Prompts he gave us tickles your fancy: Saturday, Myr popped back in again and let us know about some of the great new resources available to our writers. Even if you are not a poet or author, check it out: We had 7, yes that it correct, 7 new Words of the Day this week. If you are under 18, cover your eyes and don't look at the first one 😮. Heck, it is so bad, I better put it in spoiler tags , reckoning, reminiscence, bittersweet, absolution, closure, regret Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! 5 completed stories this week! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon Rumspringa by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall Vega-Vixen 2.0 by Topher Lydon **Complete** 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 39 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories A salty drop of Magic by Celian Pace Control by Soren Kraft Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Gabriel's Gambit: Contract Terminated by Jason Rimbaud **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Strife by CryingCircusConductor Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L A Tight Squeeze by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Footnotes of misery by Kileoli Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Barnaby’s Bounty: The Chrononaut’s Guide to Nautical Dimensions by chris191070 **Complete** Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel IceBerg by J92 Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill The Cwtch. by E K Stokes The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Blades of Ashes by lilansui The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox In the Barb by Vcs Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Holiday Drama by quokka If Furniture Could Talk by Lee Wilson Robbie and Mark: Latest chaos by unilive Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme **Complete** U-N-I by unilive The academic slut by Kileoli Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Exquisite Island of Safe Refuge: The Stained-Glass Mind by Vcs Alpha Awakened by Painawakened THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Never walk alone- Walk on by Andre Delport turmoil by Paladin Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

I thought we killed all the capybaras

So the Penguin is a bit under the weather from partying too much on her birthday, and the big guy is busy, busy, busy! That means you get me today Now I'm not one to follow the rules as in I was asked to do an Anthology Flashback. Well to H E double hockey sticks with that! I'm going to do my own thing We are less than a month away from This Year's Secret Author Contest, so why not look back at the first year that got us on this track of a summer contest every year. Way back in 2023 after several seasonal Secret Author Contests, Val surveyed you, the members on what you wanted. It was decided on the current format of one Poetry Anthology, one Secret Author Contest and one yearly Anthology. Now with me presenting these stories, the thing is, everyone knows who the Author is But if you want to guess who wrote what, I'll play your game . There will not be any prizes though. Check out some of these great stories that appeared in year 1. This one had 1 original contest entry, but then morphed into a full story: Enjoy the look back, but don't forget to look forward too!!

WOW I've lived in my humble little city of Calgary for a year or two and about this time every year I talk about the upcoming Calgary Stampede , The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth (I'm not being compensated for this shameless plug ) I will be volunteering so far 6 of the 10 days to help out a charity I was thinking I should get a western shirt or two since the chester drawers disease is getting worse The chest is dropping down into my drawers . One thing about Calgary is there a lot of western wear stores around and they are more or less all the same. Then you have the farm equipment stores, and about all the same. This year, I heard of a place north of Calgary by 20 mins that I'd never been to, Irvine's Western Store. OMFG. Over 140,000 square feet making it the largest western store in North America. I nearly got lost a few times. Hell, I didn't even make it all the way down and into the huge steel barn that has nothing but boots! Rooms and rooms and rooms of just men's jeans, same for shirts. I got two shirts and they were on the cheaper ends at $90 each 😮. All kinds of tack, ropes, saddles, omg, they had 5 different 300 foot long halls with just saddles!! Blankets, pads, hell underwear if you want, with buckles, belts, jewelry and much much more. We didn't visit the women's part And all that tack comes in every colour. Pinks, purples, different blues, reds, oranges, etc. And the men. Whoa Steve The men from 20 - 70 all of them gorgeous. I think growing up on a farm does something good for the jeans, and I don't mean the Wranglers. Needed to have on a nice pair of tight underwear in there . So where am I going with all this, other than an afternoon perving on men in a western store ? I want to know, have you ever gone riding on a horse, a donkey, a camel, a mule, even maybe an ass (keep it clean guys )? I think I have been on 4 trail rides, 2 in the foothills of the eastern slopes of the rockies, once in the coulees around Lethbridge, with rattlers and owls, oh my , and one in the mountains of Golden Ears Provincial Park in BC. The most interesting and only non-trail ride was when I was much younger, we were camping with my friend's, girlfriend's family on Crown land near the rockies again, and across the river was a Ranger Station. The ranger had 2 horses and he had to go into Calgary for a week and asked if we could water and feed them and maybe take them out for a ride or two. Well the family were farmers and not new to horses, me, like I said, a trail ride or two for this city boy. So I took off with the 14 year old son, me about 20, him leading me on his horse and me following. I told him that I thought the straps were too long, so the bugger kicked his horse into a gallop and mine followed suite with me holding onto the pommel and my legs squeezing the sides to keep me upright, the stirrups flapping in the breeze. Finally he took mercy on me and slowed and stopped so he could adjust the leg straps. I was glued to that saddle So tell me about any adventures you have had on a four-legged beast? I'm sure @Headstall might have a story or two if he hasn't written about them all yet If you haven't ridden a horse or anything, have you done anything farm related? Like @Krista had a pink John Deere tractor when she was a teen. Momma would get her anything the spoiled princess . Now onto the Wrap Up. Monday, I was about to say Cia, but it was actually me, that brought our new member of the Review Team, @Gary L, to attention for a great review: Onto Tuesday, Myr was up to mischief again and went diving scantily clad (oh, the horror ) to feature a new genre : Around came Thursday and Val published a great blog on short stories. Lots of interaction on this one: Finally on Friday, it was a certain Penguins birthday and I wrote her a lovely prompt, but it wasn't appreciated Check out the Prompts this week: Myr also gave us 7 new Words of the Day! dread, possesed, abomination, ghastly, morbid, unholy, tormented Did anyone else notice that coloration between the Words of the Day and the Genre featured this week Sneaky Myr, very sneaky Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! Another week of 6 of 6 categories with a story updated!! Also 10 stories completed!! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Vega-Vixen 2.0 by Topher Lydon Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Lord of the Pierced Dawn by Topher Lydon **Completed** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories My Prompt Stories by Bill W 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 35 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Pace Control by Soren Kraft Strife by CryingCircusConductor The Thing About Bill by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Another Time by Celian Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme Holiday Drama by quokka Barnaby’s Birthday Bash: A Cretaceous Synopsis by chris191070 **Completed** Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel Gabriel's Gambit: Contract Terminated by Jason Rimbaud Barnaby and the Chronological Salad by chris191070 **Completed** Gilded Things by Nuno R.F.C.R **Completed** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard C.E.C.O. by Thirdly **Completed** Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy The Cwtch. by E K Stokes The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus The Witching Hour Phone Call by Lee Wilson **Completed** My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Loose Box by Aquiya Cyba **Completed** Between the Times by Celian Trials of the Warkin by Gonzalo Sollu Blades of Ashes by lilansui Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox turmoil by Paladin THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Frosted Hearts by Jason Rimbaud **Completed** Gay for Pay by chris191070 **Completed** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories Path Forward by Jean87 Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

I'm sure everyone is a bit confused on who's bday it is @chris191070, @Valkyrie or @wildone So if we go with the popular song, one of things aren't like the others , I will say Happy Birthday Val!! Here is my story: It was a cold Antarctic summer day when the egg hatched to momma and pappa penguin! It was the birthday the world would rue forever from happening. Valkyrie was born!!! The end

I think @Krista needs to have what 'short' means in a short story

Indeed, sad news. We don't usually post of an author's passing unless we are pretty sure of it from multiple sources or an obituary. Don't want to announce that someone has passed and turned their account as deceased until we are sure. Sometimes anonymity can protect you, but leave others with unanswered questions. Since this is at the end of the his last chapter, we will leave it here for now. If anyone should hear more, please reach out in private to @drpaladin or @wildone to discuss. If you do hear from a family member by chance, please let us know as soon as possible. Sounds like we have lost a great author though Thanks @IOMfAtS

Happy June everyone!! In my neck of the woods it is staying somewhat light out until after 10 PM 😮 What that means is I'm up a bit later and I can read a bit more I'd like to introduce you all to our latest member of the Review Team! @Gary L !! Gary approached me a few months ago and said he can help out with a review or 2 a year. Which is great, and really appreciated!! Looking at his first review, you all are in for a treat. What the Ship Remembers by Andy Cannon Reviewer: Gary L Status: Complete Word Count: 134,040 When one sees a painting of a naval warship from the Napoleonic Era, it is hard to imagine how these seemingly flimsy, wooden constructions could possibly stay afloat in calm seas let alone in stormy waters. With impressive knowledge, Andy Cannon takes us aboard these warships and tells a tale of the stormy seas within two sailors' hearts as their boat battles with wind, rain, storms, and, of course, the French. We begin at the end of the tale in a Prologue that introduces us to the now Captain William Pitt, retired by the sea and living in a kind of despairing hope. What follows is the story of the relationship that forms and reforms between a younger Lieutenant Pitt and young Midshipman Blake set in the context of the English West Indies fleet in 1808. There is much to commend, and frankly to admire in Andy's story. First, as a work of naval fiction it is impeccably-written. We are led below decks to the cramped conditions in which hundreds of men might have to live; to the officers' Wardroom, claustrophobic in more than one way. Secondly, the love story is developed in painstakingly small steps, both backwards as well as forwards. At times one almost wants to bang their heads together. Finally, this brings us to what a number of readers have mentioned in their comments or reviews: the absolutely marvelous writing; the English prose is exquisite to read. This is a beautifully-told story of the struggle to love, and be loved by, a fellow man. It is set in a time where being caught having sex was a hanging offence. Sadly, there are parts of the world in which this is still the case. Whilst brilliantly set in the late eighteenth century, this is a tale of love relevant even today. Category: Fiction Genres: Historical Sub-genres: Historical Drama Tags: mature adult, gay, north america, military, industrial age Rating: Mature

I want to get into the question of the week right away I loved the Weekly Prompts this week from Aditus! So much so that I'm going to borrow his question Do you listen to music, and if you do, what do you prefer? Radio, streaming, playlists, one person said satellite TV/ Maybe someone out there has an 8-track or cassette player that they haven't retired. If you have an 8 track, I honestly don't believe there is a 8 track tape that has survived this long For you younger folks, look it up. I would say that most my time is flipping around on radio stations of all different musical styles. I did mention that country music only is listened to during Stampede and then it is banished from my airwaves the other 355 days of the year It is interesting that the 2 people I talk in Teams the most are both country fans and we all are slagging each others musical choice. I'm currently not talking to either of them as they keep sending country song videos and those nasty algorithms are working in the background that when I pushed the random Apple Music channel it played me country songs Now if you are a single whole hearted one style of radio, I would like to know the reason why. Are you a TV news host so you are listening to 24 hour news radio all the time 😮. Now let's get onto the week in review. Shall we? Since I stole (such an ugly word ) borrowed Aditus' Prompt question, let's look at the GA News Blogs in reverse this week. Dara or Shakira, your choice On Thursday, Valkyrie did a check in on how you are coming along on in the Secret Author Contest and the Yearly Anthology. Since the Secret Author Contest and revealing how you are doing would reveal that you are an author, feel free to PM me on how you are doing if you want . Don't read any further below where @Cia and @Valkyrie will be telling you to ignore this part . Tuesday, was Myr's day to shine and he put his spotlight on a different genre this week: Cia started the week a whole 6 days ago, with a brand new CSR for the month of June. Check out the who and the what it is: Since I'm ass backwards, why not do the same thing for the Words of the Day: sinister, spectral, sepulchral, macabre, puzzle, shadowy, omen Well one really got me stumped If I was in a spelling bee, me asking them repeat it or give me the use in a sentence, I'd still fail out 😢 Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 - Find all the information right here. 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! This week we had an update in all 6 categories Thank you to all our contributors 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories The Lord of the Pierced Dawn by Topher Lydon Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour Vega-Vixen 2.0 by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Double Hex by Topher Lydon Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters The Construct by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories Secrets 3: The Road to the Future by Bill W 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray 38 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Man on the Moon by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme Trials of the Warkin by Gonzalo Sollu The Capybara Cadence by chris191070 **Complete** Strife by CryingCircusConductor The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Role of a Lifetime by KKirk **Complete** Between the Times by Celian Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Pace Control by Soren Kraft Frosted Hearts by Jason Rimbaud Gilded Things by Nuno R.F.C.R Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy Pigsty by Jack Poignet Holiday Drama by quokka The Cwtch. by E K Stokes turmoil by Paladin Salt and Stone by CarlAccolla C.E.C.O. by Thirdly My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Loose Box by Aquiya Cyba Out Of The Closet by RichardWrites **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy How Would You Know That? by Lee Wilson **Complete** The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X The Seducer: A Gone From Daylight Inspired Story by MrM The Vulnerability Protocol by chris191070 **Complete** Sapphire in the Stars by JujuTheDruid Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox A Tickling In The Wild West by Ticklishboy30 **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories Path Forward by Jean87 Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)