So we’re kind of hoping everyone already knows that Queer Romance Month is a thing that is happening right the heck now. But, just in case: throughout October we’ll be showcasing giveaways, essays, articles, and flash fiction from the queer-identified, the queer-supporting and the queer-writing, celebrating Queer Romance in all its awesome.
We hope you’ll come join the conversation.
And just to get you in the mood, thanks to our generous hosts at Love Bytes, we’re delighted to be able to offer an exclusive sneak peak at some of the upcoming posts.
On Tuesday 14th of October we have a post called ‘Reflections’ by the glorious Delphine Dryden about the search for ourselves in the books that we write and read:
Because we should be able to love ourselves enough to feel worthy of love. And we should be able to access books that reinforce our sense of being entitled to strive for the kind of love we want. Entitled to happy endings.
On the 17th, look out for ‘Life After Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ by Jessica Scott, writing – as ever – straight from the heart:
Then came the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act. Which means that not only can people be open about who they love, they can now marry them and the army will have to collocate them with their spouses just like every other married couple.
It’s beautiful. Because we haven’t just been serving during peacetime for the last few years. People have gone to war being unable to have their loved ones back home notified in case of their deaths. They’ve been unable to have their loved ones come to the hospital and be next of kin.
These policy changes are long over due and I welcome them. Our force is stronger for them because people no longer have to worry about hiding who they are or who they love.
On Thursday the 23rd , we’ll be publishing an exclusive piece of flash fiction by Mary Calmes, called ‘Me and Ben’.
“Ben?”
He cleared his throat and changed his grip on me, his hands slipping to my hips as I lifted mine to his face. The touch was tender; it always was whenever I allowed myself to be near him. He was precious to me, after all. His catch of breath surprised me.
“Ben?”
“I thought,” he said, his voice low, husky, filled with gravel, “that if I made you jealous enough, enough times, that you’d tell me to stop because you wanted me.”
And if you like flash fiction, you should also look out for the these wonderful posts:
- Rose by Mary Ann Rivers & Ruthie Knox (15th October)
- The Purpose of Ife Leighs by Aldous Mercer (16th October)
- Shimmer by LC Chase (22nd October)
- The Prince Who Never Laughed by Amy Rae Durreson (26th October)
- Under the Bustle by Vanessa North (29th October)
On Friday 24th, look out for ‘9 Stories and 10 Links’ by Ginn Hale, where she shares some links to her favourite queer webcomics:
But we writers aren’t the only ones exploring expanding the definitions of romance. Numerous amazing creators are writing, illustrating and producing, (often completely at their own expense) brilliant web comics. And I’d like to share a few that stand out for me.
On the 26th October, we’ll be posting an interview with Majorie Liu by Nicole Kimberling:
If you’ve never read Queer Romance, the only demand upon you is to have an open mind and an open heart.
And, finally, on the 31st of October we’ll be wrapping up Queer Romance Month with posts from Sarah Brooks, on looking for the lesbian HEA, EE Ottoman on the importance of trans* romance and Josh Lanyon on …
…
country music?
Everything I know about Happy Ever Afters, I learned from Country-Western music.
And if you want to know what that’s all about, you’ll have to come join us on the 31st!
Honestly, we could have picked pretty much every post for this, so don’t necessarily see this as the highlights, just a representative sample of forthcoming fabulousness. Come and join over at Queer Romance Month for these posts, and many, many more.
First time I’ve heard of it. Thanks for the post. I scooted over to subscribe to the email notifications =)