22Jun/18

J.P. Jackson

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June 22, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome J.P. Jackson as the guest on Episode 169 – Put Strange Things in Your Mouth!!

This week JP Jackson returns to the show to give us a behind-the-scenes on his new novel Magic or Die, explains the continued percolation of the apocalypse, and encourages you to try new things!

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Bio:

J.P. Jackson works as an IT analyst in health care during the day, where if cornered he’d confess to casting spells to ensure clinicians actually use the electronic medical charting system he configures and implements.

At night however, the writing happens, where demons, witches and shape shifters congregate around the kitchen table and general chaos ensues. The insurance company refuses to accept any more claims of ‘acts of the un-god’, and his husband of almost 20 years has very firmly put his foot down on any further wraith summoning’s in the basement. And apparently imps aren’t house-trainable. Occasionally the odd ghost or member of the Fae community stops in for a glass of wine and stories are exchanged. Although the husband doesn’t know it, the two Chihuahuas are in cahoots with the spell casting.

J.P.’s other hobbies include hybridizing African Violets (thanks to grandma), extensive travelling and believe it or not, knitting.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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July 7, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to announce J.P. Jackson as the guest on Episode 119: I Like Flirting with the Darkness!

This week JP Jackson joins us to discuss his first novel, what happens when you flirt with darkness, finding your genre, and the year of too many projects.

Follow J.P. and support his work:

Bio:

J.P. Jackson works as an IT analyst in health care during the day, where if cornered he’d confess to casting spells to ensure clinicians actually use the electronic medical charting system he configures and implements.

At night however, the writing happens, where demons, witches and shape shifters congregate around the kitchen table and general chaos ensues. The insurance company refuses to accept any more claims of ‘acts of the un-god’, and his husband of almost 20 years has very firmly put his foot down on any further wraith summoning’s in the basement. And apparently imps aren’t house-trainable. Occasionally the odd ghost or member of the Fae community stops in for a glass of wine and stories are exchanged. Although the husband doesn’t know it, the two Chihuahuas are in cahoots with the spell casting.

J.P.’s other hobbies include hybridizing African Violets (thanks to grandma), extensive travelling and believe it or not, knitting.

 

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15Jun/18

Katze Snow

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June 15, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Katze Snow as the guest on Episode 168 – I Can’t Escape the Kink!!

This week Katze Snow joins us to share her novel Sinister Hunger, along with the re-release of Conflicted. She also talks about her love of dark, twisted men and tatties-mince-and-dough-balls.

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Bio:

After leaving school and renting a crummy flat at sixteen, Katze Snow now lives in Scotland with her wolf-dog and kitty. When she’s not writing or listening to music, she works for a top-secret, underground organization, but sshhh, it’s a secret. She finally published her debut novel in 2016.

Her writing is dark, gritty, and takes satire to a whole new level. Come and join her! But be warned: Katze likes her men dark, twisted and all kinds of messed up. She hopes you do too.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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08Jun/18

Craig Barker

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June 8, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to announce Craig Barker (T.C. Orton) as the guest on Episode 167: Always An Underlying Message!

This week Craig Barker (T.C. Orton) returns to talk about what he’s been up to since we last talked, letting go of one genre (MM) to write LGBT Lit Fic under his own name, the fear of reading base not following, and discovering new readers who will appreciate the direction he is going.

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Preview of Oscar Knight Cover

Preview of Oscar Knight Cover

Bio:

Craig Barker has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, Craig has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.

Craig resides in the United Kingdom, living with his partner Peter Jones and their dog, Drake.

 

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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June 30, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to announce T.C. Orton as the guest on Episode 118: Cheerios for Breakfast!

This week TC Orton returns to discuss his latest work, a choose-your-own-adventure titled Iudicium, the challenges of his works in progress, and the importance of good food.

Follow Craig and support his work:

Bio:

T. C. Orton has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, T. C. has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.

T. C. resides in the United Kingdom, living with his partner Peter Jones and their dog, Drake.

 

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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March 24, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to announce T. C. Orton as the guest on episode 104: If There’s a Puddle, I’m Happy!

This week T. C. Orton joins us to talk about the gods of storytelling (like the creators of Buffy) who use metaphor and symbolism, the surprise warmth of fan support, the amazing author camaraderie, and telling a story about becoming a monster.

Follow and support Craig’s work:

Bio:

T. C. Orton has had a passion for supernatural stories from a young age, often scribbling down his latest ideas instead of focusing on whatever task was at hand during the long school days. At the age of twelve, he penned his first romance story featuring himself and the boy he had feelings for set in a fantastical land full of werewolves and wizards. Ever since that day, T. C. has made it his mission to entwine his leading gay protagonists with epic paranormal adventures.

T. C. resides in the United Kingdom, living with his partner Peter Jones and their dog, Drake.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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08Jun/18

Social Media Central by Kevin Klehr

Review, , , , , ,

Kevin Klehr came to visit us on WROTE recently! To listen to his episode and find links to his work, check out Episode 163: A Good Femme Fatale!

Considering how relevant the role social media plays in our lives, I’m surprised I haven’t come across a book that deals with the phenomenon before now.

Social Media Central deals with one lonely man who doesn’t buy into the whole world-wide obsession and god-like status of media celebrities, but he gradually gets sucked into it after meeting Madeline Q, a fashion blogger, and her glamorous colleagues. The story is set fifty or so years in the future but frankly, we’re seeing elements of Klehr’s vision now. Klehr’s future world has no books, empty offices, most ordinary people shut in their own rooms to work, preferring to “mirror meal” (a chilling phrase if ever there was one) with friends instead of meeting them face to face. The exceptions were the glamorous ones, the media stars, the celebrities famous for being famous, who set the trends and tell people how to eat, what to wear etc. Again, not that different from now in many aspects.

Tayler is a lonely geek with a dim view of the whole on-line celebrity thing. I found it difficult to get to know him at first. There was a dispassionate tone to the dialogue which meant I didn’t feel I had full access to the Social Media world, but was looking at it through smeared triple-glazing. Having said that, Tayler was the easiest character to identify and sympathise with. I couldn’t get to the heart of who Madeline was, which was frustrating.

As the story progresses, the plot thickens when a girl’s body is found in a nightclub. No spoilers, but what follows is a lot of smoke and mirrors, some of which I didn’t get at all. Madeline isn’t who she seems, and her actions seem incomprehensible at first. The pace of the story was uneven in places, but I did find myself compelled to read to the end. Before that, I did struggle a bit, mainly because the characters (apart from Tayler) aren’t people I would choose to spend time with in real life.

I’ve since read some parts of the  book again, and have enjoyed it a lot more, although “enjoyed” might not be the right word. The world of Social Media Central is bleak, very well-crafted, and ultimately rather depressing, but with a whodunnit thrown in, and a dash of glamour, it does make for a compelling read, and I had definitely warmed towards the characters by the end.

One final note: A couple of reviews mentioned the “lack of LGBT content.” I disagree. The characters were diverse and fluid, without a lot of rainbow flag waving. It was subtly done, and a worthy addition to the mainstream as well as LGBT+ sci-fi genres.

BLURB

In an age where everyone lives their lives through a screen, no one has more celebrity status than fashion blogger, Madeline Q. In a chance meeting, Tayler, loner and geek, is introduced to her world of parties, fan worship, and seduction.

But as his own star rises, Madeline Q is arrested for murder. There’s just one problem—there is no corpse. Tayler soon learns that fiction blurs reality on Social Media Central.

01Jun/18

Gabriel Lyons

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June 1, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Gabriel Lyons as the guest on Episode 166 – Drooling Just Thinking About It!!

This week Gabriel Lyons shares his novel Ice on Fire. He also talks about leaving his day job, fiction and queer identity, and how writing as therapy has helped face an attack in his past.

Be advised this episode does briefly mention rape.

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Bio:

While daylighting as office manager for the family auto repair business, G.R. Lyons can often be found working on one of multiple manuscripts or desperately trying to keep up with the TBR pile.

Anarcho-capitalist, quietly ‘out’ trans guy, former belly dancer, coffee guzzler, highly-sensitive introvert, CrossFit enthusiast, and lover of m/m romantic fiction.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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25May/18

Hans Hirschi

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May 23, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Hans M. Hirschi back as the guest on Episode 165 – Don’t Do This Without Parental Supervision!!

Hans M. Hirschi returns to the show to share his latest novel Returning to the Land of the Morning Calm, to talk about how he weaves all the elements of life into a story, and why he’s a feel-good writer!!

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Bio:

Hans likes to read books that deal with issues he can relate to, tackling the big as well as the mundane questions facing humanity and particularly the LGBT community today, from parenting, family relationships, love, loss, but also difficult subjects like our environment, trafficking, child abuse, racism, global warming, aging etc.

He’s a fifty-one-year-old father married to the most amazing man, Alex. Together they have a beautiful five-year-old son, Sascha. He considers himself a citizen of the world, having lived on two continents and traveled extensively (a hobby) through another three. He has friends all over the world. When he’s not writing, he has a new side venture working as a tour guide in Gothenburg.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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October 13, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Hans M. Hirschi as the guest on Episode 133: Hits Close to Home!

This week Hans M. Hirschi joins the show to discuss his latest release, Disease, writing about the tough topics that face families of every type, and the upcoming GayRomLit Retreat!

Follow Hans and support his work:

Bio:

Hans likes to read books that deal with issues he can relate to, tackling the big as well as the mundane questions facing humanity and particularly the LGBT community today, from parenting, family relationships, love, loss, but also difficult subjects like our environment, trafficking, child abuse, racism, global warming, aging etc.

He’s a fifty-year-old father who clings to the illusion of still being his pen-age of twenty-seven, despite his body’s daily wake-up reminders to the contrary. He’s married to the most amazing man, Alex, and together they have a beautiful four-year-old son, Sascha. He considers himself a citizen of the world, having lived on two continents and traveled extensively (a hobby) through another three. He has friends all over the world. When he’s not writing, he likes to do public speaking or training (where he has his professional background).

 

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18May/18

Shara Godwinson

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May 18, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Shara Godwinson as the guest on Episode 164 – I’m Kind of Like a Cat!!

This week Shara Godwinson joins us to talk about her novel Dragon Fire, Angel Light and her soon to be re-released novel Tales of the Driss, Krystal Dragons. We also talk about how she’s overcoming her disabilities to be a writer and the method behind her madness!!

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Bio:

Shara has always loved fantasy, having fallen in love with it as a child. She loved fairy tales from Authors such as Hans Christian Anderson and The Brothers Grimm. J.R.R. Tolkien has always been a massive influence, especially characters like Fili, Kili, Faramir and Sam (a personal favorite). She graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 2015 with bachelor’s in history and Liberal Studies. She lives in Eastern Oregon with her cat, Isabella, her Chihuahua Maisie, and her Ring Necked Parakeet, Pretty.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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13May/18

Read by Strangers: Stories by Philip Dean Walker

Review, , , , , , , , , , ,

We had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Dean Walker back in November 2016. To listen to his episode and get links to his work, check out Episode 084: Bars Are Where Our History Happened!

I was very much looking forward to this next collection of stories from Philip Dean Walker, after enjoying the superb At Danceteria and other Stories. Whilst that book concentrated on definitive moments in our history, and real people, this anthology has a mixed bag of stories and characters plucked from Walker’s imagination.

And what an imagination it is, from the woman who endangers her baby whilst engaging in an illicit affair to the man whose fantasies take a very dark turn. Despite the lurking horror, there is a playfulness to the writing, a chance for Walker to play with different styles from lilting to staccato, poetic to erotic. Perhaps because the stories were written over a few years, some being published elsewhere before now, the mix of styles could seem a little disjointed, although I enjoyed the unpredictability of it. In all cases though, the quality was outstanding.

Here we have a writer not afraid to experiment. A Cup of Fur was distinctly odd, and took it’s sweet time to get to the point. In various cases, there doesn’t seem to be a point per se. Each piece seems to be a cold, hard look at the human condition, and what some people are capable of.

I enjoyed the sense of experimentation, of testing himself with the viewpoints of people of various genders and sexuality. There is no doubt this is a literary collection, yet balancing the gravitas with a sense of mischievousness to stop the stories becoming dry and worthy. There is no consistency with the length of stories, so each one is a surprise.

Standouts for me were Unicorn, where lads trespassing in an abandoned house learn more about a family tragedy, A Goddess Lying Breathless In Carnage, beautiful and sinister, And Three-Sink Sink. I still don’t understand the title but the writing was pure, savage and totally compelling.

BLURB

Read by Strangers is a collection of sixteen stories exploring the complexities of the human experience. From weary men seeking a ride back from a club but find themselves trapped to a woman addicted to a virtual reality game who is neglecting her child to a man whose fantasies about of his neighbor’s wife have begun to take over his life, the characters in each of these stories are enveloped in their commitment to their own personal desires. 

11May/18

Kevin Klehr

Featured Guest, , , , , , , ,

May 11, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Kevin Klehr back as the guest on Episode 163 – A Good Femme Fatale!!

This week Kevin Klehr returns to talk about his latest release, Social Media Central, the creation of the book trailer and the pitfalls of advertising the trailer on Facebook. We also discuss the ins and outs of social media and the lengths Kevin went through to cast and produce the trailer using live actors!!

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Bio:

Kevin is the author of a number of books including the Actors and Angels series and the Nate and Cameron collection.

The Actors and Angels series are three comedies about theatre in the Afterlife, where two friends explore their love for each other through several lifetimes with the help of a gay angel. The third in the series scored a Rainbow Award for Best Gay Alternative Universe/Reality novel.

The Nate and Cameron collection are two novellas that delve into a relationship between a dreamer and a realist, where the latter is coming to terms with loving second best. The two stories, Nate and the New Yorker and Nate’s Last Tango, are also available in one paperback edition.

And his latest novel, Social Media Central, explores a future where everyone is addicted to their screens.

Kevin lives with his long-term partner, Warren, in their humble apartment affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own “Emerald City,” Sydney.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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April 21, 2017


It gives us great pleasure to welcome back Kevin Klehr as the guest on episode 108: Always Come with Cake!

This week Kevin Klehr returns to talk about his new novel From Top to Bottom, his foray into erotica, his new publisher Nine Star Press, and then Kevin drops tips for writers.

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Bio:

Kevin lives with his long-term partner, Warren, in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.

From an early age Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his social circumstances changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, snuck the notebook out to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his novel. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again.

 

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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February 12, 2016

 NatTheNewYorker_cvr_100dpi-210x330DramaQueensLoveScenes_100dpi_cvr-210x330DramaQueensAdultThemes_100dpi_cvr-210x330 It gives us great pleasure to announce Kevin Klehr as the guest on Episode 043: Life is a Cabaret.
Join us as we talk with Kevin about trusting your editor, contracts and how to read them, what equality and mainstream mean to a queer author, turning a trope on its head and the international Con experience.
You can find Kevin’s novels here:

Connect with Kevin on the web:

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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04May/18

Charlotte Reagan

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May 4, 2018


It gives us great pleasure to welcome Charlotte Reagan as the guest on Episode 162 – The Sacred Cow!!

This week Charlotte Reagan joins us to talk about her sweet novel Just Juliet and her slightly darker novel Loving Lakyn. We also talk about Young Adult (YA) versus New Adult (NA), what’s on our bookshelves, and Charlotte drops some awesome recommendations!!

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Bio:

Charlotte Reagan was born, raised, and currently resides in a small town in Texas with her cat. She’s been writing pretty much all her life, even when she was too young to know how to put her stories down on paper. Once she started she couldn’t seem to stop! She still has boxes of old notebooks filled with ideas and plots that she never finished. She writes young adult romances focusing primarily on the LGBT+ community. Charlotte crafts lighthearted stories that bring about hope, laughter, and maybe even a few tears. She can usually be found with her laptop or off traveling somewhere!

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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