A Man Named Ricker

Way back when, I told you about a story that lost me all my points on the Cat side of the Cat-Dog war that my husband and I engage in on an irregular basis. That story, At the End of the Leash, by one Jeffrey Ricker, was in Fool For Love: New Gay Fiction, the anthology in which my first story saw the light of day. I'll repeat what I've said earlier: the company I'm keeping in this book is amazing.

But specifically, I want to talk to you about Jeffrey.

When I wrote my wee reviews of all the stories, I sent Mr. Ricker a note exclaiming how much I'd enjoyed his tale - though there may have been some discussion of how his story resulted in my husband turning to me and saying, "that story couldn't have happened with a cat." Jeffrey's story is witty, romantic, and the romantic spark is palpable.

I got to meet Jeffrey at Saints and Sinners, and we both read at the FOOL reading, where he also showed himself to be a great reader as well as a great writer. He's also incredibly generous with his feedback, and more than one of my stories is the better for his input.

Since then, I've managed to read Jeffrey's essay in Paws and Reflect: Exploring the Bond Between Gay Men and Their Dogs - a book about gay men and their dogs. Yes, you read that right. I purchased a book about gay men and their dogs. I suppose I should just throw in the Cat towel and be done with it.

It came as no surprise that Jeffrey's essay was witty and sweet, and that it melted even my feline-loving-heart. Again.

But I'm actually not going to talk about that, either.

I also happen to know - by virtue of once again being in Mr. Ricker's splendid company - that he's got another story coming in Blood Sacraments. I promise you, you're in for another treat with Jeffrey's story.

But - again - that's not what I'm here to talk about.

See, the big news is this: Jeffrey Ricker's novel, DETOURS, will be coming out in 2011. Yep, now you're going to have the opportunity to have an entire novel full of Mr. Ricker's wit and spark.

The official press release is below, but take my word on this one. I'll keep an eye out, and the moment the pre-order option lights up, I'll remind you.

You can thank me next year.


Press Release: New Title from Jeffrey Ricker

Bold Strokes Books is pleased to announce the acquisition of Jeffrey Ricker’s new novel, Detours, scheduled for release in 2011 from Bold Strokes Liberty Editions.

Detours – Coming in 2011

Joel Patterson should be happier than ever. He’s just returned from a two-week vacation in London, where he met Philip, who might be the man of his dreams. Instead, Joel’s heading to Maine for his mother’s funeral. He quits his job to fulfill one last request for his mother: unload his parents’ albatross of an RV by delivering it to an old family friend—in California.

Somehow, Joel’s high school “friend” Lincoln has invited himself along on the ride—and into Joel’s bed. The other person who’s invited herself along? The ghost of his mother, who still has plenty to say about her son’s judgment (or lack thereof). Joel has to get the RV to San Francisco, get rid of Lincoln, and get back to Philip. It would also make him feel better if he learned what’s keeping his mother tied to this earthly plane. However Joel manages it, the route is likely to be anything but straight.

About the Author

Jeffrey Ricker is a writer, editor, and graphic designer. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, his writing has appeared in the literary magazine Collective Fallout, the anthologies Paws and Reflect, Fool for Love: New Gay Fiction, and the forthcoming Blood Sacraments from Bold Strokes Books. Detours is his first novel. He lives with his partner, Michael, and two dogs in St. Louis, where he is currently publications editor at the Missouri Botanical Garden and is working on his second novel. Follow his blog at jeffreyricker.wordpress.com.