Brandon Shire's Blog, page 23

Author Vicktor Alexander Giving Back with Impossible

Impossible, book 6 of the Tate Pack series is out and I am so uberly excited to hear what you all think. It was nice to return to the ranch, to hang with the guys again and I think you’ll all be very shocked by what happens in the story. Though I am to warn you that it’s angsty and will make you cry, at least according to my betas.

In light of where the royalties of the book are being donated I decided to do more than just give you the blurb, excerpt, cover and buy links, I thought I would tel...

Good News and Bad News

The Good News

I am VERY happy to announce that we have reached and exceeded our first small fundraising goal for Lost-n-Found. Our goal was $466 by the end of July. That’s two weeks worth of food, shelter and transportation for a homeless LGBT kid. We exceeded that amount by $100 thanks to YOU.

Next goal: $1000 by the end of August. That equals one month of food, shelter and transportation. We CAN do this. We’re already more than halfway there. If you would like to donate and help us take homel...

Is love more powerful than fate?

In The Golden Pin (2009) Long, an avid swimmer, finds himself struggling between the expectations of his Asian family and the demands of his heart. His father wants him to marry soon, but his mother, haunted by a past romance, has other ideas. The film asks the question: Is love more powerful than fate? It seemed rather apt lately, particularly from a perspective of gay romance, so I thought I would share. What do you think, is love more powerful? Or is fate so tricky that love happens along...

Jonathan’s Hope – Gay Fiction by Hans M. Hirschi

Welcome Hans M. Hirschi to the blog. He’s here to talk about his latest novel Jonathan’s Hope which deals with a young man forcedfromhis homebecauseof his sexuality. We also want to extend our very heartfelt congrats to Hans and his partner who are now the very proud fathers of a beautiful baby boy. (See his twitter feed for ultimate baby cuteness.) ~B.

When I started writing fiction again, the thought of writing about homelessness was not foremost on my mind.

No, that’s an understatement.

It wa...

Hold on Tight – Public Displays of LGBT Affection

Holding hands or kissing in public isn’t for everyone. When it comes to same sex relationships, showing your love outside of the home is sometimes a complicated personal choice. This short documentary moves between the public and private spaces in which lesbian and gay couples live, and explores small gestures of human connectedness. These gentle interactions not only carry a huge personal significance, but also the potent power to create social change. Yet, for most people, being affectionat...

Fandom in LGBT Literature

I’ve never been able to understand fandom. To me it seems like a lot of valuing another person over yourself – almost idolizing them to the point of your own detriment. So I asked J.C. Lillis to come by and talk to us about her book How To Repair A Mechanical Heart since the plot revolves around fandom.

Brandon: Thanks for coming by J.C. Can you explain your perspective on fandom? After reading several of your other interviews I think it differs considerably from mine.

J.C.: Absolutely. I’ve b...

Heart of Timber – Book 2 of the Cold Series

We have a title for book two of the Cold series!

I have had so many emails about the next book – if there was going to be one, when it’s coming, what the title is… that I’m nearly overwhelmed. But it is a pleasure to see that so many of you have enjoyed the story despite its initial setting. I guess you, my readers, have proved that you can, in fact, love the unlovable. (Particularly when it came to Lem.)

Well, we’re switching locations in book two, but all I can say right now is to click on th...

My Favorite Book – Author Suzanne van Rooyen

Welcome friend and fellow author, Suzanne van Rooyen to the blog. I’ve put her to the test and asked which of her own books is her favorite and why. ~B

Reading has always been therapeutic, like going for a brief holiday every night that leaves me feeling rejuvenated and ready to face real life. Writing has proven even more cathartic as I immerse myself in the worlds I create and become my various characters be they cyborgs or androids, androgynous angels, genetically engineered super-soldiers,...

LGBT Music Monday – Matt Alber

Sometimes it’s just better to let the music speak for itself, but you should be aware that this openly gay singer/songwriter started his singing career in a church in Missouri. Needless to say, he chafed against the animosity he found there and has become a profound musical talent in his own right. His latest CD only solidifies what many in the LGBT community already know: he’s freaking awesome.

You can find Matt Alber’s touring schedule on his website, connect with him onTwitter or Facebook,...

UK Writers and Publishers Coming Together for LGBT Youth

My friend and fellow author Elin Gregory and I share passions, LGBT youth and history. And while I don’t write historical fiction, she does it wonderfully. ~B.

Many thanks, Brandon, for agreeing to host me on your blog.

One of the big problems for an historical novelist is how much information to dump into your text. Whatever makes it into the final version has no business being there if it doesn’t move the story along, so sometimes hard decisions have to be made. One of the hardest decisions f...