GRL ’14 – Odds and Ends

I suspect most everyone who reads my blog knows I’ll be going to GRL (Gay Rom Lit) this year in Chicago as a Supporting Author. [That’s a fancy phrase for ‘relatively new author.] (Sorry, Fancy Nancy is ‘lil q’s new favorite and we say ‘that’s a fancy word for’ a lot these days as we try to expand her vocabulary) Whew, talk about a digression, where was I? Oh yeah, GRL ’14 updates. Focus.

First, I was asked to be an “Honorary” member Team Prism’ Countdown to GRL ’14. Sounds glamorous, no? So of course I said yes. Turns out the honor really is all mine. I get to run the anchor leg of their GRL Author Flash Fiction countdown. So tomorrow my little story based on the picture prompt will be on the Prism Book Alliance Site. I’ll post a link tomorrow, but here’s a link to the Prism Book Alliance site so you can check out the other pieces now if you like:

Now a couple other odds and ends:

I’ve spent the spring and summer wondered what to expect and more importantly what to bring. The dreaded “S” word—swag—has been on my mind since almost the moment I received confirmation that I snagged a Supporting Author slot. After numerous conversations with fellow authors, people who’ve attended past GRLs as either an author or a reader (or both), I cobbled together a few things to bring. One hopes I did good. Continue reading GRL ’14 – Odds and Ends

A Closed Door – A New Short Story

A Closed Door, by Andrew Q. Gordon

A short story that was released by Wayward Ink Publishing. This is my first contemporary MM romance—with more to follow soon I hope—so I hope you’ll check it out and get a taste of my writing. Buy links are below.

Continue reading A Closed Door – A New Short Story

Release Day! A Closed Door

New Release: A Closed Door, by Andrew Q. Gordon

So it’s been a hot minute since my last ‘release’ day. And while this is just a short story, it’s my first contemporary story that’s been published. I need to do a few more of these as I liked very much doing something without the fantasy/paranormal world building.

I hope folks like it and if you do, please drop me a note here, on Goodreads or on Amazaon. Continue reading Release Day! A Closed Door

A Closed Door – Cover Reveal and Release Date Info

I’ve not published a straight up contemporary MM Romance yet – other than a free read or two on Gay Authors – so this is something of a milestone for me. This was something Lily Velden challenged me to write and I think it came out quite well, even if it is just a short story. I suspect I’ll want to try my hand at longer ones in the near future – especially if I get covers this nice again.

Will Parkinson from Pride-Promotions made this badge which talks about the book and shows the cover: (I’ll post the cover soon – promise)

The book is out on October 8th – so in just a few days. You can pre-order it already on the Wayward Ink Publishing website – the eBook is just $2.99 and the paperback is $5.99. Here’s the link:

Preorder Link

Continue reading A Closed Door – Cover Reveal and Release Date Info

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 38

Free Fiction Friday: October 3, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 38

“Stop worrying.” Ethan said. He shook his head, but the Wi-Fi connection distorted it on Blake’s screen. At least the audio was clear. “I doubt he’s going to freak out.”

“I’m not worried about him going off on me, that’s not Brett’s style, but I’m not looking forward to moving out if it comes to that.”

Ethan’s face tightened and Blake braced for his response. “It doesn’t matter if he’s unhappy, that’s his deal. He needs to get his knuckles off the ground and move into the twenty-first century. Why do straight guys all think they’re at risk of being hit on by gay guys?”

“I don’t think he’s that bad, Eth.” Or maybe he was and Blake didn’t want to believe Brett was really upset. “But I think I make him uncomfortable.”

“Why are you defending him?” The way Ethan’s eyes narrowed told Blake they’d crossed the Rubicon. “He’s the one with a problem, not you. What does he have to be uncomfortable about? Do you stare at his junk when he gets changed? Do you grab his ass constantly? What?”

“You know I don’t do that.” Even if he found Brett attractive—and he didn’t—he wouldn’t do those things. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 38

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 37

Free Fiction Friday: September 26, 2014:

After a couple weeks off to deal with some family issues, I’m back this week. Hopefully this will the start of a good run. 😀

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 37

“I’m telling you he’s acting weird.” Blake lifted his shirt and wiped the sweat from his eyes.

Dean didn’t bother with modesty and pulled his shirt over his head and used it to dry his face and neck. He bent over and grabbed his knees. “You’ve been running with my brother, haven’t you?”

The accusation wasn’t the response he expected. “Yeah. Why?”

“Cause you pick spots and run intervals like him. I hate that.”

“They’re good for you.” Having hated them at first too, Blake became a believer after how much stronger he felt during games. “You’ll appreciate it when you have your legs at the end of the first game.”

“I know they’re good for me, but I still hate them.” He used the white T-shirt to dab his face again. “So what’s Brett doing that’s weird?”

“I dunno, maybe it’s just me.” Having brought it up, Blake suddenly felt stupid talking about it. “Just forget about it. It’s probably nothing.”

“Clearly something bothered you or you’d never have said anything.” Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 37

Ashes of Life – The Paperback

Ashes of Life

As I’ve mentioned a few times, Ashes of Life is a story I wrote for the Love’s Landscape edition of Don’t Read in the Closet (DRitC) sponsored by the Goodreads MM Romance group. It was released on July 31, 2014 and is available for download from the MM Romance Group or on my website. (Just click the ‘Free Downloads” tab above. ↑)

And now it’s available in paperback! Yep, the book is in print and available for purchase. You can still read it for free in eBook format, but for those that would like a paperback, that’s now an option. You can buy it from the Createspace eStore or from Amazon.

Buy Links:

Createspace:

Amazon:

Ashes of Life, by Andrew Q. Gordon

When Sergeant Thane asked his best friend and second in command, to go riding, he had no idea how much his life would change. Whisked away by his horse to a forest that shouldn’t exist, he hears a cry for help. Answering the plea, Thane releases a phoenix—Eraq—from his centuries long imprisonment.

Eraq’s first act of freedom is to claim Thane as his own. But the phoenix is more than he appears. A mage-shifter, Eraq sets his sights on the man who answered his call for help. Thane returns the interest despite learning that his act of liberation has set in motion events that will change the world. When he learns his relationship with Eraq places him at the center of events beyond his understanding, Thane refuses to abandon the man he’s come to love. Even as it hurtles him toward certain death.

About the Author:

Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when he wants to write. He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his partner of eighteen years, their young daughter and dog. In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. ‘insiders’, Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and seeing how much coffee he can drink in a day and not get the shakes.

Social Media Links:

You can find his books at

Wayward Ink Publishing

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Follow Andrew:

On his website: www.andrewqgordon.com,

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrewqugordon,

On Twitter: @andrewqgordon,

Or just email him: [email protected]

Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 36

Free Fiction Friday: September 5, 2014:

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 36

Blake paced his small dorm room. Brett’s stuff added to his made it feel even smaller. He’d been spoiled having the room to himself for the three weeks. Spoiled in more ways than one. But the weekend came and went, Ethan went home and Blake left Jason and Darryl’s house to come back to the dorm.

During the two days at Jason’s place, he’d tried to find the right words to tell his roommate. Everything he came up with sounded lame. “Brett, I’m gay,” was direct but had an overly dramatic feel. And he didn’t think he could or should blurt it out to start the conversation. On the other hand, the whole, ‘sit down, I have something to talk about,’ wasn’t any better.

Plus he really liked his roommate—in a friends only way. The last thing he wanted was to cause him more stress than needed. Especially the first week of school.

Still, they had to have this talk tonight. Enough people knew about Ethan and he being a ‘couple’ that sooner or later Brett would get the, ‘whoa, dude. You’re living with a gay guy?’ question and then it would be on. Better to deal with it directly and early on so they could both move on with the semester—one way or another. Continue reading Free Fiction Friday: Second Shot – The Senior Year – 36

Ashes of Life – Free Release

Ashes of Life

As I’ve mentioned a few times, Ashes of Life is a story I wrote for the Love’s Landscape edition of Don’t Read in the Closet (DRitC) sponsored by the Goodreads MM Romance group. Basically how it works is someone sends in a picture and gives a bit about what the picture says to them and asks an author to write the story behind the picture.

Here’s the prompt I selected: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1729208-dear-author-ilona—claimed-by-andrew-q-gordon

As many who read my work know, I love fantasy. There is something about being able to read about things that can’t be real but should. Once I might have said that writing fantasy, being able to bring to life my imagination, is even better, but I’ve learned much since I was a ‘lil q myself. The tendency to make characters all powerful is hard to resist. Creating believable systems of magic can be more challenging still, and while in my mind I’m the all-powerful hero, my inclination is to just play god and make it go away. Yawn.

Continue reading Ashes of Life – Free Release

Second Shot – The Senior Year – 35

Second Shot – The Senior Year: Chapter 35

The night felt strained. Blake wished he’d told Jason he and Ethan didn’t want to be a part of the ‘party.’ Despite his best efforts to keep things chatty and friendly, even Ethan couldn’t cut the tension.

Then again, maybe Ethan was the problem. Blake noted how Hanna tensed up every time Ethan did something flamboyant. Wendy brought out the ‘gay’ in him—at least that is what Ethan whispered too him after a particularly funny exchange.

He thought he’d have minded the over-the-top, queeny performance, but seeing his boyfriend having fun, being himself, laughing with their friends, Blake realized that was part of the attraction; Ethan was comfortable being Ethan. Everyone—Hanna excluded—enjoyed the ‘show.’ Even Dean managed to laugh. Continue reading Second Shot – The Senior Year – 35