GayRomLit— or as some refer to it as GRL— truly is the must-attend event for
people who create and celebrate LGBT romance. For those who are unfamiliar with
what GRL is I can try and summarize it. Every year in October (this year it’s
the 17th to the 20th with pre-events on the 16th)
the LGBT community consisting of authors, narrators, readers, and professionals
gather to share in their love of LGBT romance. There are signings, author
lounges, many events, spotlights, it really is hours of fun.
The location
changes every year and on the opening night of each year the spot for the next
year is announced. During this time at
GRL there are two signings. One for Registered Authors and one for Featured
Authors.
At these
signings you can go to the authors’ tables, talk, have them sign swag they
have, books you’ve brought, pick up pre-orders, and they will even sign
something you brought from home.
Lounges are
set up as well these are outside the signing times. Registered authors have one
and featured have two lounges.
There will
also be spotlights with readings, Q&A’s and so much more.
Now until
October 14th Diverse Reader is spotlighting authors that will be at
this years GRL. And if you want to know more about it simply head over to the
site by clicking here:
Now for our
Spotlight Author of the day!
Where To Find Rick at GRL
Lounge
times and dates: Thursday, 10/17 at 3:00 to 3:45 pm; Friday, 10/18 at 3:00 to
3:45 pm
Spotlight
(featured author reading): 10:30 to 11:20 am on Friday, 10/18
Featured
author book signing: Saturday, 10/19 at 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
When Diverse Reader asked me to write a post for GRL, I
thought, what better way to introduce myself than to let other readers know
what my favorite books were. They give a snapshot of who I am as both a writer
and, more importantly, as a reader—and I hope this post will inspire and open
the door for some conversation when we’re all together in Albuquerque in
October.
I wanted to just give you the very first books that came to
mind when I thought of my very favorite “gay” books. I’m a great believer in
going with one’s gut. So here they are (in no particular order):
- Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith has long been one of my literary icons. When it comes to probing the darkest sides of human nature, no one does it better than she. Strangers on a Train is a much better novel than the Hitchcock movie of the same name (although that was not without its charm, among them the very lovely Farley Granger) and has a much darker resolution. Its homoeroticism, too, is much more explicit than in the sanitized Hollywood film that bears the same name.
- The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren. How many other gay men have had the same experience as I did? I discovered this book on a trip to the mall when I was in high school, surreptitiously bought it when my friend wasn’t looking, and took it to home, hid it between my mattress, and box springs…and absolutely treasured it. It opened my eyes to so much (yes, two men can really love each other—it’s not a sickness or an abnormality) and made me realize I was not alone.
- No Night is Too Long by Ruth Rendell (writing as Barbara Vine). No contemporary mystery/psychological thriller writer does it better than Ruth Rendell. She plays with gay themes in several of her novels, but in this tale of psychological suspense, she most successfully blends homosexual themes and characters with heart-pounding suspense and shines a light into our darkest fears and compulsions.
- Mysterious Skin by Scott Heim. This was Heim’s debut novel and it’s weird, wonderful, and disturbing, combining alien abduction, memory loss, and child sexual abuse in a compelling, lyrical, and thought-provoking narrative. I’m sad to say that none of his subsequent work had the sheer power of this one.
- In a Shallow Grave by James Purdy. Purdy is one of the most underrated American writers. I believe he is one of the masters of 20th century literature and this gem, about a disaffected and disfigured war veteran and his love for a hired male caretaker and the fugitive who comes into both their lives is spiritual, carnal, and profound. And Purdy’s command of the language and his use of American colloquial speech is nothing short of poetry.
- The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst. A perfectly rendered portrait of England in the 1980s and the rise of the new right, this story about young gay Nick Guest and his social and sexual awakening is harrowing stuff, since we know that tragedy lurks just around the corner for not only our naïve young—and often selfish—protagonist, but for a whole segment of society.
- Was by Geoff Ryman. This revisionist take on my favorite movie of all time, The Wizard of Oz, is simply brilliant literature. In its parallel stories of a “real” Dorothy Gale, a “scarecrow” dying of AIDS, and the plight of a child star named Frances Gumm combine to form a narrative that is nothing short of literary brilliance.
- Michael Tolliver Lives by Armistead Maupin. The Tales of the City books, like The Front Runner, were eye-openers and touchstones for me as a young gay man coming to grips with his own identity. Reading this last entry in the series really resonated with me and touched me, since I am not far behind Michael himself and have experienced many, if not most, of his same joys and sorrows.
- The Lost Language of Cranes by David Leavitt. This was Leavitt’s first novel and, while I wouldn’t say it’s his best, I would say it’s his sweetest and most satisfying. So much of the story resonates with me personally (the closeted father with a gay son) that it simply touches my heart more than his other work.
- IM by Rick R. Reed. You didn’t think I’d compile this list without putting myself on it? But people always ask which of my books is my favorite and this one is clamoring for a mention. I love it because it combines a little romance, with a lot of suspense, some horror, and commentary on gay life and culture.
TORN
BLURB
It's 1995,
and Ricky is making his very first trip across the pond with his best friend.
Ricky, hungry for love and looking for it in all the wrong places, finds it in
the beach city of Brighton. His new love has the curious name of Walt Whitman
and is also an American, which only serves to make him sexier and more
intriguing. By the time Walt and Ricky part, promises are made for a reunion in
Boston.
But the
course of true love never runs smooth. In Chicago Ricky almost immediately
falls in love again. Tom Green is a sexy blue-collar beast with the kindest
heart Ricky has ever run across.
What's he
to do? With a visit to the East Coast on the horizon and a new love blossoming
in Ricky's home of Chicago, Ricky truly is torn.
BUY
Dreamspinner Press ebook: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/torn-by-rick-r-reed-10476-b
Dreamspinner Press paperback (get ebook FREE when you buy the
paperback!): Dreamspinner Press
Amazon Kindle: Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paperback: Amazon Paperback
BLUE
UMBRELLA SKY
BLURB
Milt Grabaur
has left his life, home, and teaching career in Ohio to start anew. The Summer
Winds trailer park in Palm Springs, butted up against the San Jacinto mountain
range, seems the perfect place to forget the pain of nursing his beloved
husband through Alzheimer's and seeing him off on his final passage.
Billy Blue is a sexy California surfer type who once dreamed of
being a singer but now works at Trader Joes and lives in his own trailer at
Summer Winds. He’s focused on recovery from the alcoholism that put his dreams
on hold.
When his new neighbor moves in, Billy falls for the gray-eyed man. His
sadness and loneliness awaken something Billy’s never felt before—real love.
When a
summer storm and flash flood jeopardize Milt's home, Billy comes to the rescue,
hoping the two men might get better acquainted… and maybe begin a new romance.
But
Milt's devotion to his late husband is strong, and he worries that acting on
his attraction will be a betrayal.
Can they lay down their baggage and find out how
redemptive love can be?
BUY
Amazon Kindle: Amazon Kindle
Dreamspinner Press paperback: DSP Paperback
Dreamspinner Press ebook: DSP Ebook
Dreamspinner Press paperback: DSP Paperback
Dreamspinner Press ebook: DSP Ebook
BIGGER
LOVE
BLURB
Truman Reid is Summitville
High’s most out-and-proud senior. He can't wait to take his fierce,
uncompromising self away from his small Ohio River hometown, where he’s
suffered more than his share of bullying. He’s looking forward to bright lights
and a big city. Maybe he’ll be the first gender-fluid star to ever win an
Academy Award. But all that changes on the first day of school when he locks
eyes with the most gorgeous hunk he’s ever seen.
Mike Stewart, big, dark-haired,
and with the most amazing blue eyes, is new to town. He's quiet, manly, and has
the sexy air of a lost soul. It’s almost love at first sight for Truman. He
thinks that love could deepen when Mike becomes part of the stage crew for
Harvey, the senior class play Truman's directing. But is Mike even gay? And how
will it work when Truman's mother is falling for Mike’s dad?
Plus Truman, never the norm,
makes a daring and controversial choice for the production that has the whole
town up in arms.
See how it all plays out on a
stage of love, laughter, tears, and sticking up for one’s essential self….
BUY
Amazon paperback Amazon Paperback
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle
Dreamspinner Press paperback: DSP Paperback
Dreamspinner Press ebook: DSP Kindle
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle
Dreamspinner Press paperback: DSP Paperback
Dreamspinner Press ebook: DSP Kindle
About Rick R. Reed
Real
Men. True Love.
Rick R. Reed draws inspiration from the lives of gay men to craft
stories that quicken the heartbeat, engage emotions, and keep the pages
turning. Although he dabbles in horror, dark suspense, and comedy, his
attention always returns to the power of love. He’s the award-winning and
bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction and is forever
at work on yet another book. Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t
disappoint…” You can find him at www.rickrreed.com or www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick
lives in Palm Springs, CA with his beloved husband and their fierce
Chihuahua/Shiba Inu mix.
FIND RICK
ONLINE
Email:
rickrreedbooks@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment