Hello again!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year so far and everyone’s nursing their hang over the best they can. I think I’m far more excited for the new episode of Sherlock I’m going to sit down and stream in the next few hours, more than I am the New Year, though! Not that that is a bad thing. I have a feeling that 2014 will be an interesting year – and if I have half of the success I did in 2013, then I will be quite happy.

Right now, I have a few things I’m looking forward to in 2014. Two of which being – my novella and novel will be published!

I’m still in the process of finishing the revisions for the first publication on the list, a novella called Divine Intervention published with JMS Books. The manuscript clocks in at a little over 30k and is a contemporary romance involving a group of friends. Here’s a brief snippet from the back of the cover:

Liam, Bart, and Evan have been best friends since all of them met in college. Though Liam is straight, he makes an effort to take out his two friends to all the gay bars in their city. Liam acts as the matchmaker for many of his gay friends, but he has not made the connection between Evan and Bart. At least, not yet.

Evan and Bart find themselves drawn towards one another through their shared love of punk music and video games, but unable to make a move. Evan, a former drunk who is still working on getting his life together, fears his own weakness in the face of alcohol and the pressures of his family. Bart, a runaway from his home state of Utah and his Mormon family, still struggles with what he is allowed to believe.

After Liam breaks up with Sarah, his best friends Bart and Evan meet at his apartment for a night of conciliatory drinking. When they arrive to find Liam’s place empty and messier than ever, the two of them are forced to wait until their friend shows up. Through a series of flashbacks and heartfelt conversations, Bart and Evan learn that they have waited long enough for one another. By the end of the night, Liam, Evan, and Bart all hope for their broken hearts to be mended, but it may take more effort than usual.

I’m very excited about this work! Even more so because I have plans to write a Christmas story involving these characters, along with a sequel for this particular work. I was really surprised at how much I loved writing these guys. The title is a reference to the struggling notions of God, religion, and belief in love that the novella tries to discuss without too many politics – but it’s also the title to a Taking Back Sunday song I happen to love a lot, too.

Check out a soundtrack I made for the story here on 8tracks, if you’re curious to hear more than just TBS.

My other work coming out in 2014 is a novel with MLR Books. This is my first time working with them, and it’s been a good experience so far. I initially wanted to write something small for their “Food” prompt for the month of October. Well, my ‘short story’ about a vegan guy who worked at a grocery store spawned into this long and (I hope) rather endearing portrayal of two men trying to bake a cake, shop for food, and take care of their families. The book is tentatively called How to Make a Carrot Cake. Here is a short blurb for the back cover:

Nate Reid never considered veganism until he meets Billy Lawson, a skinny, quiet kid who works at the local grocery store. With Billy’s help, Nate slowly learns what he can and cannot make during the beginning months of their relationship until a family secret from Billy’s past threatens their bond. Will their conflicting desires in the kitchen make an exciting partnership or will Billy’s refusal continue to isolate him? Nate searches through cookbooks, his best friend Marlee’s advice, and his favourite novels from his college years in order to find answers for both of their futures.

Finally, I want to talk about a few other cool things: poetry! This December, I was lucky enough to be selected for a new poetry anthology with Chelsea Editions. They published two books related to gay men and their experiences; one of short stories and another of poetry. Major kudos goes to these guys for representing queer and trans* individuals who don’t quite fit the typical ‘gay man’ story in their work. I really appreciate being included in this. (Please note, I’m credited under my middle names Francis Zachary).

You can pick up the anthology here. Also, check out their other selections here.

The poetry press Minor Arcana books is releasing a short anthology called Drawn to Marvel: Poems About Superheros. Again, I was so, so lucky to be involved with this. They will be publishing my poem “Transformations” about Anne Sexton, fairy tales, and how the bedtime stories we tell our children have merged into the new mythology of comic books. Have I mentioned I’m excited for this book? I’m so happy to be included, mostly so I can get the contributor copy and read it myself. :)

irisnewfiction.org

A few more other updates, just because I have the time before Sherlock comes on. My short story entitled “Our Names” will be published by Iris New Fiction in their upcoming issue. This story is quite important to me because it has a transgender teenage boy and his anorexic girlfriend as the main characters. The important thing about this is that these characters both need medical help, therapy, and acknowledgement from the outside world – but the “illnesses” that both of them have are often so maligned in our culture that it can prevent people from speaking. I told the story in first person point of view to include the reader on these kids’ sides, from their points of views, to hopefully help facilitate understanding rather than judging.

Finally, here’s a short story I posted with Gay Flash Fiction for the road. A short piece, this is just long enough to read over morning coffee after a long night of bringing in the new year. :)

2013 was great to me – and I have a lot of readers, publishers, and friends to thank for it. So thank you! I hope 2014 is good for everyone around. Take care of yourself, and one another.

And don’t spoil Sherlock Season three for anyone too soon! ;)