William King

It's broken... you have to wait until it gets fixed.

The programing code in the website is adding a space to Web addresses: this shows in the code %20 which means - a blank space. So no links work - inside the story text, in the notes, the links don't work because a blank space is added after the dot. Type a Web address into the notes, example: https://test.test.com and it will save as https://test. test. com When you enter the address using the editor it is exactly the same except the space shows as the the code %20 the ASCII code for space. This is a programing error in how Web address links are captured - it has nothing to do with being in the story text or in the story notice box at the start - which, by the way, also has a problem with the 500 character limit not working, but that's a different error. Short story - get the programmer to look at the code for rendering Web links.

Multimedia writing. I have been thinking about the opportunity offered by putting the written word in electronic format on our screens. It seems to me that website publishers have ignored the possibilities to enhance the printed book in its electronic format, content with just an electronic version of a printed book. A number of authors like to include links to enhance the reading experience, and also images. Publishing websites like Nifty and WordPress allow for this and the links can be integrated within the story. This, however, is very limited and not at all inspiring or taking the reading experience to a new dimension. Why has no one thought outside the box, to embed links into the written text. So, for example, a character might switch on the radio and a song is playing - there could be a link for the reader to that music. But what I am talking about is embedding the music. As you read the words, the music comes on and plays. Images might be inserted into text in a similar fashion. Example, "as they were looking through the family album, one picture of him at 14 years old, stood out..." The photo might appear in the top right corner of the screen. I have thought about the visually impaired and those using text reading software. In that case an option would be read in the text much as an audio description of a TV programme. For the hard of hearing the same would apply to the embedded music. There would always be an option to switch off multimedia, but having read a number of stories with links, I have found these to add a lot to the story. Embedding those links is really taking advantage of modern technology. A simple electronic version of the printed word seems to offer nothing much in terms of possible artistic development. I know it would not be easy, simply reading the comments on here about stories with images and links not working, tells me that. I am sure it is perfectly feasible though, and someone might just make a pretty sum out of developing this, because no one has done it yet, and it might lead to a new genre of books - multimedia books.

Being Gay

Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, I'm coming home to you

I like the photo very much. Without having read the background which you provided, explaining that he always had a camera with him, that photo comes across as an intimate movement in time. A kiss which would have happened with or without the camera. The fact that we see the camera that has captured the kiss only serves to show us the camera is the object on the outside - the camera is the observer, just like we are - we are looking in on that moment of intimacy, we are not part of it, neither is the camera. Observing the embrace, makes it obvious to me that there is nothing contrived, it is very natural. The fingers are gentle, the chance is there, to click in the mirror, not really looking, by chance to capture the moment forever. I find the lightness of the touch on the camera and on the guy in the kiss, exquisite. The whole composition, camera and mirror, is superb. And if it never - by chance - worked out, then we never would have had the privilege to observe that moment. Yes, I love it

This stuff happens - you wrote... In America it happens, in Europe if a policeman gets killed it's headline news on national television and the government minister is on site, there is a minute silence across the country, flags are at half mast and a national funeral. What does this tell you - you accept the unacceptable in America and do nothing to change it, because you're used to police being shot and shooting people. That is terrible.

I suppose even the editor is allowed to comment, because I really only stepped in to tidy up the chapter which was already written, just to make it easier to read. What I liked about the start of this book was that it had a feeling of being raw. The protagonist in chapter one falls into having a one night stand because he wants sex - wants to get fucked. There is no apology from the author who writes the sexual side of this story as casually as the rest of life, having sex would seem to be (for our protagonist) the same as eating and breathing. It is not difficult to see that some readers might be put off by such basic sentiments and even, perhaps, affronted by the confrontation at the altar in front of the pastor and packed congregation, when our protagonist once again has no qualms in stating his sexual desire - it's there presented for all the world to know. The twist at the end of the chapter - a chapter which has built up, layer upon layer, to a crescendo, tense and exciting - the twist suddenly lurches the whole story into a multitude of new directions. And that is unique, and very clever, and I would read the chapter just to arrive at that finally. But of course, once you arrive there, you will find it very difficult not to read on, because you will, dear reader, have been captured by your own desire to know how their lives turn out.

I never really read anything much until going on eleven years old and apart from one book about Edmund Hillary's assent of Everest, Lord of the Rings was the only serious book I read, well that and some books we had to read for school. Guess I was a late starter... these days I'm sure there is a medical term for that, other than lazy... lol

Japanese Manga, Boy's Love, and Rotten Women. How literature is changing attitudes towards gay men. Until the end of the 90’s, BL (Boy's Love) characters would often declare “I’m not gay”, and there were many references in stories about discrimination towards gay people. From the year 2000 and onward, society has become less narrow-minded, and works that depict a world where gays can live happily have been introduced. “Yes, the stories aren’t changing out of pity. ‘Evolved BL’ was not born of a desire to be compassionate (towards gay men). It’s because both the authors and fans of BL are ‘living’ in the world of these handsome male characters.” “In order for these characters (whom the author and readers identify with) to live happily, there is a desire for the characters to be depicted in a way that overcomes the hate and prejudice towards homosexuality (in real life). So even though BL is just romantic entertainment, the signs of society’s evolving attitude towards homosexuality is being reflected in the stories. A fascinating blog about how gays are seen in a changing Japanese society. Read the blog... Evolved Boy’s Love: How Rotten Women's Gloom Could Eliminate Prejudice - Takurei's Room

Just before we finished school for the summer, when I was thirteen and we had moved to a new neighbourhood, our English teacher showed the class a book. She said, "I don't expect any of you to pick this book up and read it, but I recommend that you do." That book was not one book, but a trilogy, Lord of the Rings. I had never bothered too much with reading, preferring to be outdoors or playing with friends. That summer, I had no friends, they all got left behind when we moved. That summer I lost myself in the universe created by Tolkien. I was still outside, in the sunshine, but now I was reading. Those books had a big influence on things from then on - they also took much longer than one summer to read.

I'm in. I would like a story critiqued and am happy to read and do the same for someone else.

I have an existing story - Time May Change Me. I noticed that the story tag was child, which was not correct. When I changed the story tags and saved, the image disappeared amongst a lot of gobbledegook: /applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i67.tinypic.com/19qr7t.jpg&key=2ed9f1c9e32a7ebedb7ffd71b1b53cb10cdca8cca1e5d518037c64c3c899f470" /> Trying to put back the image, it appeared correctly, but saved with the gobbledegook. Sometimes the tag reverted to child again and I had to repeat the whole process. I can't figure out how to put the image back. The link is there in the gobbledegook, but all this extra stuff that gets added, I don't get what the system is doing. I don't know if it's because of your update or it's a forum thing you can't control. Any Ideas?

Here you can - as you already know - read stories, write stories, poetry, blogs, and generally just talk about stuff on the forum - even Harry Potter, it you must - you'll find loads of HP fans ?

I skipped The English Year because it wasn't finished and I'm not sure it will be, at least not anytime soon. I always check when the last update was and if the author is around - you know, the last time they logged in. I would have read it otherwise, because it looks interesting. I skipped the Meta story because, like I already said, I'm not a fan of werewolves and vampires, although a lot of people are, and that also looks good.

Misunderstandings is the first – and I believe the only – book, by BigAKHorton, which is a shame because it is so good. How often do you get to read a story about the lives of two ordinary grown ups, that just comes alive off the pages? It is very well written, full of moments of happiness, sadness, and comedy. This book will make you laugh and will make you hope that everything somehow will work out for Davis and Luis. The reality of trying to make a relationship work when you have not had too many great experiences, are full of self doubt, and can’t quite believe it, is described perfectly. The misunderstandings follow each other in what is almost a comedy of errors, with each of our protagonists becoming his own worst enemy. Were it not for a cheeky effort by Luis’ best friend Shelley, there would have been no story to tell. You will be drawn into the web of their ordinary existence by the descriptions of their lives that are just so marvellously drawn. It was a joy to read and I came away with a new view of people, and a renewed determination never to be too quick to judge others.

Haha... that will take a while! I'm reading the second one on your list and it's another great recommendation, I'm very much enjoying it. Shame the author only ever wrote the one story and disappeared around two years ago. What I really like about your list, so far, is that the stories are different and I'm a sucker for real life stories - vampires and werewolves I'll leave for the young ones! ?

This is a great list you have put together, because it is difficult to find good stories and I always like to choose by reading a synopsis and a review. Your list led me to a fantastic story, the first one, Judas Tree. I doubt I would have read it were it not for your review, and what I would have missed, a truly wonderful piece of writing. If only there were more reviews to lead us to more great stories. Thank you so much for this ☺

Parmenides nihil fit ex nihilo (Latin) nothing comes from nothing

This book, part of a series, could be summed up as an emotional roller coaster, a struggle to survive the storm of teenage years. If you are looking for intrigue, there are plenty of surprising discoveries in store for the reader. Perhaps you might believe you have the foresight to know where things are heading, but don’t be too sure, because there are twists and turns, and revelations. The author captures the spirit of these teenage years exquisitely, the angst, the rebellion, the coming to terms with life, the not knowing who you really are. The relationships that can be destroyed over nothing at all, and the difficulty of finding the road back. Then there are the adults, the parents, whom you might imagine to be the reference, the role models, but that is not always the case. They too have their problems and may not always be relied upon to be the salvation of the situation. The book is a very enjoyable and entertaining read that takes the reader on a journey, a ride alongside the boys, Billy, Brett, and Dustin. You share their experiences, you get frustrated and angry, and you never really know if you love them or hate them. But you wouldn’t want to miss out on discovering what happens to them.

It was a great finish, worthy of the book, which, at the risk of repeating myself, was excellent. Now I have to wait until June, but I completely understand that - you deserve a break. Now what do I want to see/know about in the next book. Ignoring the obvious, how things work out with Billy and Brett, I absolutely want to know how things work out with Dustin, and Mike, don't forget Mike, I kind of like him more and more. Then, you threw in a few other things - Brett's mum and Joey's mum, the suicide in Joey's family (the guy they never talk about). Joey is such a shit, I don't like him, but he is in the story. Thanks for what you've written, I've really, really, enjoyed reading it... until the next time

I can't understand losing readers when it's such a great story. Personally, I love the ups and downs, and the unpredictability. I hope it never ends, but of course we all grow up. And you're having fun writing it, I'm having a ball reading it - and so are lots of other people.

The link was ga/forums/stories so I must have bookmarked back during the transition phase. Thanks for your quick response ?

Here is another question - different topic. Why when I go to a certain author's profile does it just list their ACTIVITY STREAM on my own author profile it lists: Activity About Me Blogs Albums Stories Without the stories option on an author profile it's - well difficult. Is this a personal choice, or what, because it's weird for an author not to list their stories. Here is the profile link: kuragari129 - Gay Authors https://www.gayauthors.org/profile/25674-kuragari129/

The page you requested does not exist Error code: 1S160/2 This is not a bug report, well at least I don't think it is, just a question - what does this mean? I bookmarked a story to read later, then got this error when I clicked the bookmark. As the bookmark just says 1: Stealth in the Night - Gay Authors, which is how bookmarks get recorded. I don't know who the author was. Normally I would presume the book got unpublished, but as you can't unpublish? It leads into a request, could you not add the author name to bookmarks? I don't know how it works, but it's the only way to keep stories listed to come back to when I have time to read them. Any info appreciated. I don't think you can search chapter titles. Maybe someone knows the book, author. I must have thought it worth reading to have bookmarked it. Okay it is a bug - the link flashed up in the address bar very briefly before disappearing to give the error message. The story was Lost Island By sanmariano Bookmarks for other stories work! Only this one gives an error. Android 6.0.1 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 Samsung browser version 4.0.30 - 40