The eccentric, soul touching music had turned the area before him into religious ground. He wanted to kneel, and watch. To listen. How could anyone dance, or do anything but listen?
🧭🏴☠️🏳️🌈
Chapter One of the Gay Pirates is up on the Patreon! I have been having so much fun back with my emotional support characters.
*glances at them covered in trauma and blood*
So much fun. But hey, the found family is kicking off, so there’s that.
Art by @kislurysuje
Pain had never frightened Novak, a fleeting sensation that only proved the existence of life. So long as there was pain, there was life. He believed there was a saying which echoed this belief. As it was above, so it was below.
⚔⚓🔥
Yes, there are at least three other things I could, and should, be working on. However, the serotonin muses call for my Iverbourne loves, and so I have been deep within the reworked manuscript for a couple of days now.
But Noah, isn’t this being rereleased *next* year? Yes, and?
For those of you not familiar, my first book (and series) was a dark steampunk fantasy with queer fae, airship pirates, meddling gods, and a whole lot of found family. As it was my first series, it was incredibly unpolished and there is so much I wish I had done differently, or better. Looking back on it with years of experience under my belt, all I can do is shake my head and get to work.
And so, I’m doing just that. It will be condensed into two (possibly three) books, retitled, and reworked. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to VampStar soon, but for now I need my pirates.
This fella in particular is dear to my heart, his novella was the first gay book I wrote, and he goes through a world of love, hurt, and healing before finding peace.
Art by @princepeachie
The sassy new professor who loves to show skin and has a bit of an attitude problem, Proteus Xlato is unlike any of the love interests we’ve encountered in Levena thus far. I am thoroughly enjoying the catty dynamic between our grumpy vampire, and this new mysterious new professor.
I am back to indulging myself with this grumpy vampire and his newly appointed rival, my favorite sassy star.
Mochizuki and Xlato is the story of When A Vampire Falls in Love With a Star, and involves an overambitious professor and the mysterious stranger determined to upend his life.
Art by Crossroad Art
Today’s WIP Wednesday is brought you to by the gay explorers finally starting to admit their feelings.
“I didn’t know you felt that way,” Cornelius finally said.
Watt tilted his head. “I told you how I felt.”
“About men, but not … me.” He lifted a shoulder, looking away. “Not all men who enjoy men want men like me, if you get my meaning. And that’s fine, people like what they like.”
Watt guided Cornelius’ attention back to him with a gentle palm to the cheek. Cornelius’ eyes were wet, and his lips were pressed into a harsh line. “But I like you, Cornelius.”
Cornelius looked like he was fit to argue, but in the end he sighed, leaning into Watt’s touch. “God help you then.” He closed his eyes and whispered, “I’m fond of you too, Watt. You have no idea.”
Watt looked forward to finding out.
Ta-da! I’m now offering free short excerpts on my website and Pareton. Today’s excerpt is from The Voice of Wild Places, a queer historical fiction. Enjoy a brief introduction to Cornelius’ nemesis, Andrea Carmine. You can read chapter excerpts on my Patreon, and all sorts of different things.
And so Cornelius began to tell the story of where they’d been. Only then did Watt realize the man had smoothly avoided the earlier question regarding their future. He listened as Cornelius spoke of the wondrous French architecture of Rio, the industrious São Paulo and the Butantan Institute, and the growing Cuiabá.
Their encounter with Senhor Galvão, and in this Cornelius modestly admitted his wrongdoings in regards to not trusting Severino. Cornelius was subdued but informative when telling them about their stay with the Bacairy, and by the time it was all said and done the group was fully enamored with him. All except Andrea, that was.
“And tell me dear Cornelius, were you able to broaden your horizons during your journey? Adopt a love for something new besides … oh, what was it you read all the time back at Ur? Oh yes, that children’s novel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
“Oh, I love that story!” Nair exclaimed, which brought a hesitant smile to Cornelius’ lips.
Ana looked between Nair and Cornelius. “I’m afraid I haven’t. But a Wizard? That sounds interesting.”
Cornelius nodded. “I find there’s nothing wrong with old favorites, and adults can find much to learn from children’s stories. Some of us may have missed the lessons the first time.”
Cornelius slipped between the folds of the tent, and Watt’s hand fell to his side. Cornelius was fully dressed, sweat dampening his brow and gear upon his back. He gripped his cane in one hand and adjusted his glasses with the other. They stared at each other, steady gazes barely illuminated by the dim lantern beside Watt’s cot.
“I’m coming with you,” Cornelius whispered, barely there but firm all the same.
“You don’t have to,” Watt said, and tried very hard to mean it. “They’re doing good work here, real work. I can go on alone.”
Cornelius closed the distance between them, slow enough to give Watt time to back away. He did not.
✍️🏳️⚧️🧭
This week’s WIP Wednesday harkens back to the Tumblr post, and subsequently the book, that started it all. I was forwarded this post by a friend who thought it was right up my alley, and she was right.
It inspired thoughts of an adventure story with queer characters falling in love, and the story was originally set in a fantasy world. But as time went on, I realized I wanted it to be historical fiction, and eventually historical fabulism. And now the book is closer to done than not, and the cover is finished. In a little over six months, The Voice of Wild Places will be ready for the world.
Are you ready for it?
The book referenced by the Tumblr post is The Rivers Ran East by Leonard Clark.
Neshama Publishing 