Does James Franco ship Kirk/Spock?

In addition to being a talented actor -- and a hot one at that -- James Franco is an artist. According to this article, Franco's current art exhibit includes a piece that "explores a romantic encounter between Star Trek characters Spock and James T. Kirk."

Wow. Maybe he's just making some sort of social statement about pop culture, but I'm left to wonder -- does James Franco ship Kirk/Spock?

Coming this winter - Sagittarius Blues

I'm pleased to announce my holiday M/M story, Sagittarius Blues, will be released this winter by Loose Id as part of their "Not Quite Christmas" theme. Being a December-born baby, I thought it might be fitting to write a character born near Christmas. I was born on the 9th, which gives me a little breathing room before the holidays, but my parents definitely found interesting ways to work around it that stick with me to this day. I acknowledge Capricorns born on Christmas Eve or Day might feel the pinch a bit more acutely, but as my character born on the 14th says, he's biased toward Sags, so Sagittarius Blues it is.

More details coming this autumn! Here's the working blurb for Sagittarius Blues in the meantime:

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With a birthday close to Christmas, Ryan Foster’s learned to compromise. He loves a straight friend who won’t reciprocate his feelings outside of the bedroom, and holds a boring job to afford college. At the end of the week, Ryan vents his frustrations through his webcast, "Alone Time with Ryan.” He never knows who’s watching, so he's careful not to name names -- particularly since each webisode ends with a mock masturbation session.

Greg Beaumont seeks a fresh start in a new home, but wasn't counting on the holidays being lonely. When gorgeous, young Ryan shows up on Greg’s doorstep, it's a warm ray of light on a cold winter’s day. Greg's attracted, and tempted, but as Youth Director at the local recreation center, he must conduct his private life carefully. Seducing a college student seven years his junior isn’t the wisest choice, no matter how hot Greg's fantasies are growing by the day -- or night.

When Ryan's ode to December birthdays goes viral, his show becomes an overnight sensation, but with exposure comes consequence, and Ryan’s Sagittarian wits won’t get him out of this one. When he turns to Greg in a moment of need, both men must face the consequence of their passion, making for one steamy winter.

*****

So, that's the holiday story! I'm still working on Sonoran Heat, too, so stay tuned for what will hopefully be another contract announcement!

Writerly update

I've finished the first draft of Sonoran Heat, the novelized extension of free M/M short Sunrise at Mama Irene's. Word count is 46K, so yes, it's a novel! Of course, I still have to run the manuscript through at least two more drafts, then submit it to a publisher, but I'm past that first hurdle. It's always a good feeling to finish a book, but this one is particularly satisfying on a few levels.

First, it was nice to enjoy writing again. I'd forgotten what that was like, before I had a few books under my belt and started fretting over the three R's -- reviews, royalties, and reader expectations. The three R's are good things, of course, and can be encouraging, but when a writer dwells on them, the creative part of the process starts to take a backseat. I'm happy to say the magic is back, at least on my end!

Secondly, authors often go through spells where we swear we'll never write again, but at the height of my pain crisis this past winter, I honestly could not foresee the next book. I considered giving up writing altogether, not out of creative, artistic woe but as necessity to my physical health. When I started writing again in March, I penned 100 words here, 100 there, spending as much time stretching my sore muscles as I did recharging my mind. It was an experience akin to pulling teeth, but gradually, that word count picked up until I was back to my old schedule.

Thank you to everyone who has offered support on both a personal and professional level to see me through a difficult time. Things are mostly back to normal, albeit I take more breaks, do special stretches, and balance the caffeine with the natural anti-inflammatory that is blueberry pomegranate juice. (Seriously, I'm surprised my skin hasn't turned blue, I chug so much of the stuff!) I spend more time away from the keyboard to hang with my family, take evening walks, read other authors' wonderful work, and tend to my first vegetable garden.

I'll leave the short Sunrise at Mama Irene's up for now, but will take it down once I start the submissions process. I've made a few changes, such as specifically setting the story in Phoenix, where I've lived twice; hence the title Sonoran Heat. (Original title was Desert Fever, but there are, like, twenty books with that title!) Stay tuned for more details!