This picture was taken by my lovely friend, Abraham. He’s an amazing photographer, and I begged him to let me use this picture!
This week I’m waiting for Vanished, the next book in the Private series, written by Kate Brian. The last book, Scandal, left off at a HUGE cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this installment. What with the series wrapping up with book 14, I’m sure Vanished will be kick-ass. I think it comes out around August 31st.
So, guess what? No, you guessed wrong. I'm not giving away books! I'm giving away shirts! Yupp, shirts. The kind people at http://www.marriageissogay.com/ have supplied me with three of their shirts to give away in a contest! Excited? You should be! These shirts are cute...
They cute, right? LOL. So, all you have to do is fill out the form below. If you
have problems filling it out, enter HERE . I'll announce the winners this Friday. And then I'll e-mail the winners again to confirm sizes and colors and such. So you have until Thursday night to enter. Good luck, and please do spread the word!!
So, I have a winner for the DARK FLAME contest! I had about thirty people who entered, and I'm so glad to have such wonderful, nice, sweet, sexy, hot-hotness, lovable, hilarious readers of my blog. I wish I everyone could've been a winner! So sad. But hey, I plan on having TONS of more contests! So be sure to enter those, as well.
And so the winner of one copy of DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel is . . .
Margaret J!
Margaret, be sure to e-mail me!!
Thanks again to all that entered! I love you. Really, I do.
Summary:
To the grave… Ariana Osgood has been tapped for Stone and Grave, Atherton-Pryce Hall’s most exclusive secret society. But so has her arch-nemesis, Kaitlynn. They go head-to-head during Hell Week, but Ariana has worked too hard for her luxe life at APH to give it up without a fight. When the competition turns deadly, only one girl will walk away from it alive…
Brent’s opinion of the novel: *This review contains spoilers for the first three novels in the Privilege series*
Kate Brian is da’ shit. Seriously, I don’t know of anyone else who can create a character that is so crazy, so… murderous, and yet, we, as readers, root for Ariana. I don’t know how she does it, but Kate makes her readers feel for Ariana. Ariana has killed close friends and random people; she lets no one get in her way. But, we also see a relatable side to Ariana. The side that shows Ariana does feel. That Ariana is human, just like us. It’s ironic, really. I mean, in the Private series, I’m in love with Reed. We’re like BFFS, LOL. Yet in Privilege, I’m in love Ariana. And it’s like, “Wait, didn’t Ariana try to murder Reed? How the hell do I love both?” I’ve finally found the answer: because Kate Brian can take any character, good or evil, give you an insight into their motives, make it in-depth and real, and BAM! you’re in love.
SWEET DECEIT opens a week after where PERFECT MISTAKE left off: Brigit’s death. If you remember, Brigit and Ariana grew close. Ariana formed a friendship with Brigit. She sorta looked out for her. And then Kaitlynn—the PYSCHO bitch she is—went and killed Brigit. What a punk. Oh, and remember how they were all taps for that secret society “Stone & Grave”. Yupp.
So as the Privilege series continues with SWEET DECEIT, Ariana is earning her spot into Stone & Grave. With all these super-exclusive tasks and such. While doing all of this, she struggle to maintain her Briana Leigh facade, as well as gain control over Kaitlynn. But when her friends start to see past Kaitlynn’s “Lilian Oswald” facade, Ariana realizes that with Kaitlynn’s downfall comes her own.
Ariana’s character grew a lot, in my opinion. I think she grew more real, and more believable. Well, that’s Kate’s writing, but still. I loved that Ariana was less impulsive. Like, at one point she was like, “No, come on, let’s think this through.” And I was like, “Ooooh, girl. You do some thinkin’, Ariana. Girl, I am proud of you!” I mean, she’s still crazy as hell, and I’d be scared to be in a room with her, but she did do some things right.
Just like in any Kate Brian novel, the plot is mind-blowing. Like, foreal foreal crazy. WTF is the only way to describe it. Well, there’s this: Crazy girls + Super exclusive prep school + hot boys + bitchy girls + secret societies = the life of the rich and famous, which is equal to the Privilege series. LOL.
Really, you just have got to read Kate Brian’s novels. They’re ridiculously creative, wonderfully written, and they always have the reader screaming by the last page. I’m still yelling, “What the fuck, Ariana?! I love you and all, but you just killed somebody. Again! What is that, murder number four?!”
Cover: Five Stars! I love how they show the beautiful girls with a hint of mystery and intrigue and all that shit. Like, do you see how she’s all “Wanna know my secrets?” what with her eyes and that background? You go S & S design team!
Characters: Five Stars!
Plot: Five Stars!
Originality: Five Stars!
Ending: Five Stars!
For more info. on the Private Series and the Privilege Series, visit http://www.privatenovels.com/. There's webisodes of Private!
So, one of my favorite authors, Kieran Scott, is hosting a contest to promote her latest novel, SHE’S SO DEAD TO US. Kieran is giving away signed copies of her books! Including SHE'S SO DEAD TO US and it's sequel. Whoa! BTW, Kieran writes under a pen name, Kate Brian. Now you know her? LOL. Well, go head over to her blog, http://kieran-scott.blogspot.com/, for more details on how to enter. It's really simple--involving things like Facebook and Twitter!
She’s an amazing writer, and if you haven’t checked her stuff out, you totally should! Her Private and Privilege series are to die for--literally.
Doesn’t it look fabulous? I *may* have a surprise contest over here in a week or so… watch out!
So today I’m interviewing one of my favorite bloggers, Alice. Alice runs the lovely A Severe Book Addiction. One of the reasons I love her is because she’s dedicated to her blog. Like, really dedicated. All of her reviews are in-depth and informational. And super fun to read! Alice is also a really good person. :) Another pro-gay blogger! LOL. But really, I’m so glad she agreed to do an interview.
On your blog…. 1. Explain your blog and mission.
My blog is kind of the product of boredom. I know that sounds bad, but here's what it means: I've been looking at blogs for a while and it always seemed fun, but I never got around to actually making one myself until one day, I just thought, "Hey, why not make that blog I wanted to make, huh?" But my goal has always been to get more people into reading - a lot of my friends and family don't read, so I can't talk to them about books. The book blogging community is amazing to talk to about books or pretty much anything else, I've realized.
I review primarily YA books, but maybe sometimes I might venture into the adult book world, too. I'll read pretty much anything, actually. :)
2. What’s your favorite part of blogging?
My favorite part... I think the way it gets you to interact with people! I've met a lot of great people through blogging, and had the opportunity to communicate with some authors even, which was something I'd never done before I started blogging.
3. What’s your least favorite?
I think the fact that plagiarism is such a big issue around the blogosphere. Well, it's a big issue anywhere, but it's really easy to do that with a blog, which is why I think it's the huge thing that it is. It disappoints me that people would do that.
4. Do you participate in any memes or features?
Yes! I regularly participate in Teaser Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, The Book Blogger Hop, Follow My Blog Friday, and In My Mailbox. And i have a feature of my own which is called Covers of the World where I spotlight international covers, because some covers are really gorgeous and don't get enough attention!
5. What makes your blog and reviews individual?
I think my blog is individual because I try to get my voice across in my posts, and I think you can kind of get a sense of what I'm like (or at least, that's what I hope!). Plus, I'm an international blogger, and most of blogs I know and read are located somewhere in the US, so I think that makes my blog a bit different too.
6. I notice that your reviews can get pretty lengthy. Do you feel as though you have an obligation to review books in-depth, or do you simply just get caught up in writing that it turns out to be long? LOL.
LOL, well, for me, it's because anything I have to write that's short, I have issues with. I tend to babble a lot. Can you tell? Cos I really do. I'm a very talkative person, and I guess that translates in what I write, too. :P
7. Who’s your target audience? Adults? Teens? Republicans?
My target is anyone who likes reading! Really, it doesn't matter to me whether you're an adult or a teen, a Justin Bieber fan or a hater...
And hey, if the occasional vampire or werewolf happens to stop by, that's cool too. As long as they like books.
On reading…. 1. And your favorite book is….
Okay, I'm bad at picking favorites, but as of now, I'd have to say... Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead. VA is my all time absolute favorite series.
2. One book you absolutely hated…
MACBETH!!!! I had to read this for school. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a book, exactly, but I hated it all the same. I couldn't keep myself awake, especially when we watched the movie in class. *shudder*
3. You’re in a bookstore. What one book do you buy?
I have a list, actually. And it's in order, so whatever's at the top of my list at that moment is the book I look for first.
4. Do you listen to music while you read?
I love listening to music when I read! I don't have a specific type of music that I listen to, because I actually listen to a whole bunch. But if I had to pick one I'd say rock - that's the kind I listen to and love the most :)
5. What's your most awkward reading habit? Wait, do you even have one?
Oh yeah, I have one, lol. I'm afraid to read in public because I've been told that I make a certain face when I read, especially when I'm really into it...my friend snapped a pic once, and let me just say that it is NOT pretty. At all.
Random shit I threw together…. 1. What's your favorite show/movie?
VAMPIRE DIARIES!! I'm in love with Damon. Sorry, all you Stefan-lovers out there...Damon is the best. He's sexy. :)
2. What's your favorite blog? Who's your favorite blogger? And why?
Hmm...I don't have one specific favorite blog, but I definitely have a bunch of blogs that I make sure to check on a daily basis. Yours is one of 'em, btw. ;)
3. Got any hobbies besides reading?
Lol, I have so many! Besides reading, I love movies (I'm a total movie junkie!), I can waste so much time on Youtube, I run, I play tennis, I torture my brother, I shop, I act crazy and ridiculous with my friends, and I love meeting new people! Not sure some of those would qualify as hobbies, but, hey, in my mind, they are. :)
Anything you’d like to add?
Thanks so much for having me on the blog! Love you guys. :) You're awesome.
I’m having a last minute contest. I’m sitting here, bored. So what do I do when I’m bored? I have a contest!
I recently received TWO copies of Dark Flame by Alyson Noel from St. Martin’s Griffin. They’re so sweet to me! Anyways, I’m giving one away. So fill out the form below, and I’ll announce a winner on Tuesday! Oh, and if you have trouble with the form, fill it out HERE. Good luck!
Synopsis from Amazon:
In the summer of 1995, young American writer Martin Paige agrees to chaperone a group of high school seniors on their graduation trip to Paris as a favor to his best friend, teacher Diane Jacobs. Diane hopes Europe will act as a catalyst to lift Martin from his grief following the suicide of his lover, Peter. But the trip proves to be more than either of them bargained for. Martin finds himself falling in love with one of her students, David McLaren, who is unprepared to cope with his burgeoning sexuality. He also meets a mysterious Parisian woman, Irene Laureaux, who is debilitated by agoraphobia and spends her days spying on the hotel guests across from her apartment. Martin and Irene discover they have a logic-defying connection: a small tribal tattoo on their left hands that means equal but opposite. This is same tattoo that Martin’s lover and Irene's husband had inked into their skin. All the characters lives are irrevocably changed in a horrifying terrorist attack on a Paris metro station. Liberated by the blast, forced from her own self-imprisonment, Irene learns her husband's death was not an accident, and dares Martin to acknowledge the role he played in Peter's suicide. Diane, harboring her own secrets and a hidden agenda, takes a drastic step to force David out of the closet and admit his feelings for Martin. From America to England to France, the globe-hopping story places fictional characters amidst historical events such as the Nazi occupation of Paris, the student/worker riots of 1968 and the terrorist bombings of Paris in 1995. Grounded in reality, Conquering Venus is a mystery, a love story and a journey of self-realization.
Brent’s opinion of the novel: So, I love teen books. Yeah, sometimes I read a lot of adult novels, but YA is my main thing. But I still enjoy a Danielle Steel every now and then. They’re always… exotic and romantic and deep. That’s why I loved Conquering Venus. It was like a gay Danielle Steel novel. Like, gay boys + Paris + Bitchy, funny characters + ridiculous tension = Conquering Venus. I loved the characters in this one. Loved. There’s Martin. He’s so sweet! And cute. And a lil’ sad-ish. I felt bad for him (did you read that description? His boyfriend died!). All he wants is love. :/ In Conquering Venus, Martin becomes very much so alive. I guess that’s because we’re so immersed in his inner thoughts and motives. Everything he says and does is true to his character, which I really loved. And omg. My absolute favorite character? Diane! She was so bitchy. I loved every second of it. Diane was ridiculously funny. And at sometimes, snarky. “I’m taking the heathens to lunch.” “Beth, you goon! I don’t want to see your pierced cooch!.” See…? You know you wanna read that character. I loved Martin and Diane’s relationship. So sweet. ;) And ooooooh, girl. David, Martin’s sort-of lover. I wanna slap the fuck outta him! He claims to be straight. I’m sorry, boo boo, but when you suck a dick, you’re gay. And at the end, when he finally accepts the fact that 1) he loves Martin and 2) he’s gay, he does something so fucked up you wanna slap him again. That is where the tension lies. The plotline was… okay. I mean, yeah, I loved this book to death, but there were moments where I grew bored. The pages still kept flying by, though, because the writing was delightful. It’s meaningful, hauntingful (is that a word? Oh, well. Don’t giva shit.), and truthful, and beautiful. Tons of –fuls. I really didn’t expect any less because Collin Kelley is also a poet, and it’s only natural that beauty in words would transpire into fiction.
Cover: Three Stars! Characters: Five Stars! Plot: Four Stars! Ending: Five Stars! Originality: Five Stars!
So, it’s been a good week. :) I’ve been reading some fabulous books, writing some (hopefully) fabulous stuff, and I’ve seen a lot of fabulous things. Oh, and I’m on the New York Times along with David Levithan and a whole bunch of other fucking amazing people! You can see it here: http://nyti.ms/buDbzO. I’ve also been wrapping up things with School Library Journal, and I’m set to be in their July issue. How cool?
Anyways, to the important stuff. A lovely blogger, Rae at Rae Cullen Reads, is hosting an LGBT week. Which is super amazing of her. You should all go comment on her stuff! And check out some of those glamorous books about the gays. Go confirm you’ll participate over on Facebook, here: http://bit.ly/9mL0uL. Do it, and I’ll bake you cupcakes. With rainbow icing, of course!
And, just a lil’ heads up to you, boo boo, I’ll be hosting a super gorgeous contest in a week or so. What am I giving away? Well, tons of signed copies of amazing gay books. Can you say JULIE ANNE PETERS and NICK BURD? Thought so…
Oh, and my wonderful affiliate, Kirthi, is having a supah fly contest, as well. Go sign up to win some Pretty Little Liars swag (among other things) HERE.
Well, have a great day, go visit Rae, go enter Kirthi's contest, and go check out that NY Times article!
Synopsis from Amazon:
As her beautiful mother, Grace, an artist, sinks into schizophrenia and refuses medication, 15-year-old Aura feels terrified and isolated. Aura also worries that she may have inherited her mother’s genetic disposition for the disease, and because she associates it with creativity, she stops exploring her own painting and writing. Soon, both the caretaking and the secrecy her mother’s illness engenders become impossible for Aura to sustain, and as she increasingly misses days of school, her mother’s erratic behavior spills over into public scenes. Debut novelist Schindler paints a graphic picture of mental illness and the toll it takes on its victims and their families. Schindler’s astute, powerful descriptions of the creative process and its ability to mirror the anguish and terror of schizophrenia, as well as its potential to alleviate pain and suffering, elevate this story beyond problem-novel stereotypes or a clinical recounting of symptoms. Grace’s relentless descent into madness is breathtakingly, gut-wrenchingly authentic, and while Schindler does not sugarcoat the grim possibilities for either Aura or her mother, she leaves readers with some hope for the characters’ futures. A haunting, realistic view of the melding of art, creativity, and mental illness and their collective impact on a young person’s life.
Brent’s opinion of the novel: A Blue So Dark is one of those books that makes you think of reading and writing as artwork, more so than just an action. It made me think of reading and writing more of as an artwork. Which is great. For a novel to do such, the writing would have to be poetic and fluid, the characters would have to be emotional and raw, and the overall book itself would have to be stunning. So… in short, A Blue So Dark was poetic, fluid, emotional, and beautiful. It makes you think deeper about your passion for reading… and writing. And hell, even if you’re an artist.
Aura has been raised in a home where artisticism is encouraged. She grew stemmed from her mother’s creativity. So, of course she has a passion for all things artistic. She admires creativity—especially her mother’s. But when she see’s her mother slowly deteriorate, see’s schizophrenia dominate her mother’s life, she can’t help but wonder. Does being artistic come at the cost of one’s sanity? Holly Schindler hit it bank when she decided to write about two of the most intriguing things: art and mental illnesses. I mean, add those together and your novel can go in a lot of directions. And Holly’s direction seemed perfect. I loved how A Blue So Dark was focused and to-the-point. These days, I see so many contemporary novels that are all over the place with their plot and such that I’m like, “Boo boo, you be needs to slow the fuck down.” A Blue So Dark was perfect with that. It was plain and simple. Art + Mental Illness = Great Topic.
A lot of times when I read such lyrical, inspiring novels, I feel like quoting from them all the time. Just because… because the lines are so beautiful and such. Well, I’m like, trying to memorize the whole book, so that one day I can quote it all. I know, crazy.
The characters’ and their relationships with each other really stood out. Aura & her mother. Aura & her best friend. Aura & her dad. Her dad & her mom. Aura & her grandmother. Her grandmother & her mom. Each was was interesting. And each was fun to read about. Though, they broke my heart many times. Fighting with bffs, taking care of a crazy, raging, uncontrollable mother…. some pretty heavy stuff.
If you’re intrigued by mental illnesses, and how their stemmed from art, then you should buy A Blue So Dark. If you’re wanting to read a book that’s both heavy and light, at the same time, you should buy A Blue So Dark. If you want to read a book so poetic and artistic it makes you feel like finger painting, you should buy A Blue So Dark. And the cover is pretty hot, too. :P
Cover: Five Stars! Characters: Five Stars! Plot: Four Stars! Ending: Four Stars! Originality: Five Stars!
A Yale-educated gay freelance writer navigates the shark-infested waters of Manhattan hoping to score a screenplay deal and a loyal boyfriend in this hip and sexy if predictable debut novel. The son of an upper-crust clothing designer, young Toby Griffin is plagued with
acne and depression, but gets lucky when he's hired to be a nightclub reviewer for a struggling Web site and quickly becomes a "nightlife contender," impressing new friends Jamie, Donovan, Brett, David and Alejandro. Though the social scene is all about hooking up, Toby does manage a dinner date or two, but most end disastrously, including one with an egotistical former Real World cast member and another with a sleazy Polo store clerk. When both the Web site and an exciting proposal to co-write a memoir by transsexual performer Lola Copacabana fizzle out, Toby begins work for hotshot producer Cameron Cole. A premiere party with lots of cocaine and booze sets the stage for a deadly Lizzie Grubmanâ€"style "accident" and a coverup that tests Toby's allegiance to his glitzy cohorts. As the media spotlight shines on Toby, he begins to lose interest in his tour of hot nightspots filled with cool Mr. Wrongs. Will our almost-charming hero ever find someone worthy? There are few surprises here, but Dolby's writing is smooth and his flashy scene-setting spot-on.
Brent's opinion of the novel:
One of my favorite places to read about is Manhattan. The array of people, the craziness, the cut-throat bitchiness, the glittering city. Fuck yeah I love a good City book! I've read tons and tons, and the one that I think has portrayed a love of the City best of all? The Trouble Boy. Not only that, but the characters were real. I say it every review: if the characters aren't real, the book sucks. The writing is crazy-addictive. So yeah, this is going to be a long ass review.
Toby Griffin is living the dream. His mother is a wanted fashion designer, and I forgot what his father does (I'm sorry! Lord, I can't remember everything). He's attended an exclusive boarding school, gotten an Ivy League degree. Lovely, right? No. Toby falls in and out of depression along the way. I never really got why, but I got the impression it was because Toby was just desperate to find a lover. Not a "Oh, I'll suck your cock on Mondays through Fridays, and we'll be boyfriends." No, he wanted an actual lover. I think that's what made him so real... He had the overall wants and needs as the average gay boy. (That came off sorta stereotypical. Whatever, you get what I'm saying.) I also loved how Tom Dolby wrote Toby's story with just the right amount of drama. Like, in LGBT lit, I see so many stories where the coming-out story is over dramatized. Toby's parents' reactions to his gayness was believable.
When Toby moves to the City, he's thrown in to a social circle of five glamorous gay men. Jaime, Donovan (omigod Donovan is foine), Brett, David, and Alejandro (Yeah, it made me want to sing that Lady GaGa song. "Alejandro! Just let me go..."). He falls into a friendship with Jaime, a crush on Donovan, a "Hey, who's that guy over there?" acquaintanceship with Brett, and a ... well, I don't know what he thought about David and Alejandro (let's ask Lady GaGa). I really liked The Trouble Boy's cast of supporting characters. They each had a distinct personality and dialogue that stood out. "See Tarzan, hear Jane." Each character had an individual story to tell, and each one is one that'll make you want to cry.
Toby is struggling, trying to find a job that'll support his writing lifestyle. The title "Nightclub reviewer" catches his attention for a while, but he's a writer, after all. And you can't really get any writing done when you're out partying. I liked his job, though. ;) It was fun to read.
This isn't a coming out story. There is a ridiculous amount of those, and I will never in my life read another. (That's just a lil' not to you, authors who wrote over dramatic coming out stories, sorry boo boo.) But yeah, The Trouble Boy focuses on what comes after. On Toby's trouble finding solidarity... in love and life.
I'm a fast reader, usually. It takes me about one or two days to read a novel. Now, sometimes I run across a book that takes me much longer. The Trouble Boy was one of those books. Not because it boring or un-enjoyable or anything, but because the writing was delicious, and I had a connection with the characters. I really just didn't want to get to the last page. I was attached! It's like giving that cute lil' kitten back to it's owner... Only I had to put this cute lil' kitten back on the bookshelf. I savored every bit.
Cover: Five Stars!
Characters: Five Stars!
Plot: Four Stars!
Ending: Five Stars! Check out my interview with Tom Dolby HERE!
I was recently privileged to have come in contact with the promo team at CSN Stores. They asked for a bookcase review, and I was just too excited. This is the bookcase I chose to review… I placed my order for the free bookcase on June 21st, and it arrived June 22nd. Honestly. It shipped in a day! And the shipping only costs 6 dollars. That’s cheap, for such fast shipping.
The bookcase was so easy to assemble. I set it up, BY MYSELF, in ten minutes.
It’s very sturdy. Look at all those books it’s holding!
It’s a pretty good size, too.
CSN was pretty good, overall. I'd definitely buy a bookcase from them.
Synopsis from Amazon: In Alyson Noel’s most darkly seductive Immortals novel yet, Ever fights for control of her body, her soul—and the timeless true love she’s been chasing for centuries. Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat—exposing their secret world to the outside. As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy—Roman and his evil companions. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman’s power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who’s hell-bent on her destruction. Now there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can’t stop thinking about Roman—and longing for his touch. As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state…and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender. Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself—and her future with Damen ….
Brent's opinion of the novel: The Immortals series is a favorite of mine. The premise is intriguing, the characters are swoon-worthy, and Alyson Noel's writing style is fresh and vivid. I am never disappointed with an Immortals book, so I had high expectations for Dark Flame. Alyson Noel really stepped it up with the previous novel, Shadowland, and I expected a lot out of Dark Flame. And I'm so glad, because Dark Flame gave a lot. Dark Flame opens with Ever trying to teach her new friend-turned-immortal Haven. Haven is power-drunk. I mean, who wouldn't be? What with her new powers, mind-reading among them, her flawless looks, and her new found gracefulness, she's ready to dominate Laguna Beach.
But Ever's too busy to deal with foolish Haven. She's determined to cure Damen, find out more about Jude, and gain control over Roman. Oh, and don't forget! She has some soul-searching to do. When she realizes her plans weren't as well thought-out as they should've beem, she finds herself bound to her deadliest enemy.
Ever has got to be one of my favorite main characters, of all time. She's sweet, loyal, and never impulsive. Hell, she's even a bad ass. She's relatable, and easy to connect with. Ever's been through so much pain that I feel as though she's really, really genuine. Though I do sometimes see her as a bit impassive. In Dark Flame, Ever goes through well-needed character development. She seemed.... stronger, bitchier. I loved it. ;)
Oh, my lord. The boys in these books.... whew. Talk about H-O-T. Damen is sexy. There, I said it. I want to steal him away from Ever, and do him. On the beach. And Jude! Don't even get me started on Jude. He's adorable. And sweet. I just love them both! So much. I mean, I'm with you all. I want Ever and Damen to live happily ever after, but isn't Jude such a nice guy? And then there's Roman. That punk ass. I just wanted Ever to whoop the mother fucker. (Oh, and minor spoiler. She did, she did!)
Dark Flame, at times, did seem a little slow. But really, there's so much passion in Ever's voice that I really didn't mind. Alyson Noel had me in tears half the time... LOL. Alyson Noel transformed from a good writer to a great writer, with Dark Flame. The Laguna Beach setting seemed more... real. More vibrant and colorful. Alyson paints a lovely picture with words.
The ending of Dark Flame is like WTF?! Seriously, yo' ass is gonna be shocked. I'm still reeling.
Cover: Five Stars! Characters: Five Stars! Plot: Five Stars! Ending: Five Stars! Ending: Five Stars!
A Guest Post written by Genre LGBT Fiction writer, Hayden Thorne
As a writer, I like a massive dose of inspirational un-reality, especially when it comes to LGBT YA fiction. My muses are varied: literature, music, art, animation, drama. I love possibilities, and no matter what new story idea I toss around in my head, my decision's always made after I ask myself, "Why not?"
I occasionally dip into fantasy middle-grade and YA fiction to keep my creative juices flowing. Okay, I'm not talking about pulling ideas out of those books, but really more about losing myself completely in all those wonderful made-up worlds that offer different kinds of adventures so that my own muse gets fed with all that vibrant imagery.
I read - and absolutely adored - Philip Reeve's steampunk trilogy: Larklight, Starcross, and Mothstorm. While devouring those books, I kept thinking, "God, what if the main character, Arthur, were a teenager and gay/bi/trans? What a kickass series this would be for LGBT teens!"
What if..?
That's always been my motto when it comes to brainstorming my next story. And what follows immediately after is "Why not?" Gay kids in space, battling monstrous aliens? Sweet! Or a warlock's young gay apprentice? Or the gay teenage son of a family of super spies in Victorian England? You know, that sort of thing.
To quote Cory Doctorow:
So young people live in a world characterized by intense drama, by choices wise and foolish and always brave. This is a book-plotter's dream. Once you realize that your characters are living in this state of heightened consequence, every plot-point acquires moment and import that keeps the pages turning. Read more
This state of heightened consequence translates beautifully in genre fiction, in which young characters are placed in some of the most amazing, bizarre, mind-blowing situations and settings that can be written.
Those who've known me from ye olde anime fandom days will enjoy a chuckle at my expense when I say that I have a thing for boarding school stories. I do. I love them, and like many of the manga titles out there, the more fantastic and surreal, the better. I've blogged about the following two anime series before as my biggest sources of inspiration from Japan (so far), and it's worth going over them again here.
While I'm not a writer of hard sci-fi, I'd certainly be willing to try my hand at something like this, though I'm not really sure how it'll turn out. Even if I didn't go for it, though, the idea's a promising one. I mean, think about it: what if the main character who pilots an organic robot (i.e., an Eva) is gay? If Shinji, the main character, were gay, can you imagine the kind of personal and psychological conflict he brings into his role as the pilot of a robot? And even if his sexual orientation weren't the focus of the story, i.e., it's treated as normal and a non-issue, we've got the kind of sci-fi action story in which the main character just happens to be gay. Wouldn't that be a great novel to offer LGBT kids?
In this case, the princess' sexual orientation isn't even an issue because the real conflict lies in the fight between good and evil. Wouldn't this be a great story to write for LGBT kids?
Genre fiction in mainstream publishing is certainly welcoming of LGBT characters, but a good many of these characters are still in the sidelines. As the main heroes of all kinds of fantastic adventures, they remain largely underrepresented, and I honestly see no logical reason why they can't be center stage in a surreal boarding school fantasy, a robot sci-fi action series, an inter dimensional adventure, among other wild, highly imaginative plots.
I'm not saying that realistic problem novels should be ignored. They're needed now, and they'll always be needed for each generation of LGBT kids who struggle through the process of finding themselves. Genre fiction for LGBT teens would make for a fantastic complement, however, highlighting the fact that, outside their unique day-to-day struggles with their identities, they're just as heroic, brilliant, and downright kickass as their heterosexual peers, navigating their way though strange and wonderful worlds in which straight kids see themselves all the time in mainstream publishing.
The main character, D, is a dunpeal, the child of a vampire and a mortal. He's also a vampire hunter. Make him an LGBT character, whose sexual orientation is secondary to the complexity of his lineage and the burden of his calling as a vampire hunter?
Synopsis from Amazon:
London during the Great Exhibition of 1851 is a new world of technological advances, eye-popping inventions, and glimpses of exotic treasures from the East. For fifteen-year-old Norris Woodhead it's a time of spectral figures mingling with London's daily crowds, and an old rectory in a far corner of the English countryside, a great house literally caught in time, where answers to curious little mysteries await him. Confined by his family's financial woes, Norris suffers a lonely and unsatisfying time till the day he (and only he) notices "shadow-folks" in the streets. Then a strange widow appears, rents a vacant room in the house, and takes him under her wing. She becomes his guardian, slowly revealing those shadows' secrets, Norris' connection with them, and the life-altering choices he has to face in the end. The Twilight Gods is a retelling of Native American folktale called "The Girl Who Married a Ghost." Set in Victorian England, it's an alternative perspective on a gay teen's coming-out process, with Norris' journey of self-discovery couched in magical and supernatural terms and imagery.
Brent’s opinion of the novel:
If you're a regular reader of mine, then you know that I'm obsessed with LGBT lit. Yes, obsessed. I ravish (Jealous, John?) every book that has the slightest mention of "gay". So, I've read a lot in the genre. And out of the huge lot that I've read, Hayden Thorne's novels are some of the most intriguing and original. I've never really been a fan of historical novels, but Hayden makes me want to switch my preferences. She puts a new spin on an over-used topic, coming out. What if you had to come out to your parents as gay... in 1851, London. You know you want to read that book!
There are many things about The Twilight Gods that appealed to me. First off, is the history aspect. The 19th century was a very intimidating, cruel time for gays. They could hardly come out... or have lovers. Which is sad, right? I'm so glad to be in 2010! Gay blog party, over here! Anyways, it was really interesting reading about Norris and his society's view on gays. In 1851, marriage was a big deal, and it broke my heart to see Norris have to go through the thoughts of displeasing his parents.
The characters are genuine. That's something I always look for in a novel. If the characters aren't, then I most likely hate it. Hayden's character's are so genuine, in fact, that I can imagine them in present day. I can imagine what a conversation with them may be like. That's a great thing. I felt so bad for Norris--his siblings got all the attention from their parents. Though this is a historical, Hayden makes sure her readers can connect to the characters. And the love part is just so cute. ;)
The Twilight Gods has a bunch of different elements. Like, gay boy love + London + some fantasy + killer writing = a whole lotta greatness. Hayden Thorne is now one of my favorite LGBT lit writers. (:
Cover: Four Stars! Characters: Five Stars! Plot: Five Stars! Originality: Five Stars! Ending: Four Stars!
What Enables David to Come Out While Sean Stays in the Closet?
By Lee Bantle
In David Inside Out, the title character and his teammate, Sean, feel a powerful sexual attraction to one another. Confronted with their unwanted gay feelings, they handle the conflict very differently. What is it about David that allows him to integrate being gay into his identity while Sean fights and denies it?
Even though it’s 2009 and the school that David and Sean go to has a Gay/Straight Alliance, Sean is bombarded with messages that discourage him from accepting his identity. He has internalized these messages which come from society, his parents, and his peers. You can still be fired in 30 states because you’re gay and you can be drummed out of the military if you dare mention that fact. When his parents find out Sean is messing around with David, they send Sean to a shrink and make him cut off his ties with David. Sean knows that guys are still called faggot as an insult and that some on the cross-country team would not be happy about having any gays in their midst.
Sean wants no part of any of this. He quite honestly tells David he’s not going to be part of his “faggy life.”
Even though Sean is not a profile in courage, I still cared about him while writing this book. He may not be making the best decisions for himself, but it is understandable. Ideally, the reader has compassion for Sean, while realizing that he is a cautionary tale.
In contrast, David, while at first fighting his gay feelings, comes to accept them and lets other people know who he really is. I think there are a number of things that account for this. One of these is his mother. She’ll love him no matter who he is. David also discovers happily that there is a healthy gay community out there. His visit to the gay and lesbian bookstore and some chats on the GLBTQ hotline give him support and hope. But in the end, I suppose the most important factor is that David is someone who wants to know who he is. And he has the guts to go for it.
Although the question of gay marriage does not come up in the book, I think it is interesting to contemplate how the pitched battle over this issue may be affecting gay teens who are struggling with their sexual identity.
I believe it has a profound affect. This fight is over a basic and essential human right. Who can we love?
In 45 states, gays and lesbians cannot get married even though under the Constitution, marriage is a fundamental right. By popular vote, California recently took away the right to marry and the state’s highest court upheld the vote. This sends a very powerful message that there is something wrong with gay relationships. And even if any given teenager might be thinking – why worry about marriage now, I’m not even having sex yet – it’s really not that simple. The path to acceptance for gay and lesbian teens will be a challenge until people can love and marry whomever they want – in all 50 states.
Dear LGBT Reader: David Inside Out, a young adult novel filled with drama, humor and sex. David is a 16-year-old runner on the cross-country team at a private Minneapolis high school. His comfortable life is upended when he develops a powerful crush on his handsome teammate, Sean. Fiercely fighting his homosexual desires, David embarks on a campaign to be straight, including reading men’s magazines like Guns and Ammo and snapping a rubber band on his wrist every time he has an inappropriate urge. All his good intentions are put to the test when he finds an anonymous note in his locker telling him to wear his red jersey to school on Friday if he “wants to have sex with a guy.”
While David Inside Out was written as a teen novel, it has crossover appeal for adults. Recommended by the Advocate as the kind of book that “resurfaces when angst seems nostalgic and memories get glossy,” it will take gay and lesbian readers back to their own coming out experiences.
David’s internal struggle was informed by mine back in the day. Yet, the landscape has changed. David watches Will & Grace on TV with his mother, contends with a friend who wants to start a gay/straight alliance at their school, and finds an LGBT bookstore where he can buy books. The isolation is gone, but the difficulty embracing his sexual identity is still intense.
If you want to take an emotional roller coaster ride in which you feel everything from anguish to elation, this is one book you won’t want to miss. The themes of first love and a quest for identity are universal and in this telling they have particular resonance for LGBT readers.
Synopsis from Amazon:
In this somewhat uneven novel, David comes out as gay, first to himself, and then to friends and eventually to his mother. Along the way, he experiences plenty of angst, from a friend asking him to join the Gay/Straight Alliance he formed, to trying to figure out how to handle a close female friend who wants to be more than his buddy. David even strikes up an intense physical relationship with his track teammate (but while David hopes for romance, Sean tells him, "Guys fool around, you know. Nobody talks about it, that's all"). Readers will be moved by David's struggles, but he never really comes across as an authentic character, and many of the book's devices (like the reassuring counselor he connects with through a gay hotline) seem contrived. There are some exciting moments (David agonizes over a note he gets from a mysterious male admirer, wondering if it's a set-up, for example), but ultimately David's journey seems like well-tread territory.
Brent’s opinion of the novel:
There was a line in David Inside Out that I really loved. “How can you be yourself if you don’t know who that is?” That’s one of the questions that an LGBT often asks him or herself, and the fact that Lee Bantle includes it in his novel shows how truthful and on-point Lee’s writing is. The voice of a gay teenager struggling to come to terms with his identity is perfectly portrayed in David Inside Out.
In a good novel, the characters are genuine. So, of course Lee Bantle’s characters were genuine. I loved them for their genuineityness (is that a word?). I loved the main character, David, but he sure pissed me off at some points. Like in the beginning her refused to admit he was gay, he even said some sorta mean things to his gay best friend. But at least, as the novel progressed, he started to accept himself more. But what really pissed me off? When the other gay dude, Sean, claimed that he was straight. Like, lil’ boy. You just had sex… with a man! You’re not straight, boo-boo. I also loved how David had a relationship with a girl… that’s often what happens with gay youth (dating girls! *shudders*) and Lee does a terrific job at executing the false relationship.
David Inside Out is so emotional, really. Each chapter is ridiculously charged with David’s feelings. It makes the pages fly by. I have nothing but praise for David Inside Out. Laughs at one page, tears at another—the reader will experience the ups and downs of growing up gay.
Cover: Five Stars! (The dude on the left is hot!) Characters: Five Stars! Plot: Four Stars! Ending: Five Stars! Originality: Four Stars!
Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there's oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods.
Brent's opinion of the novel: Of all of Mel's writing (I've read it all!) her Blue Bloods series is one of my favorites. They're deep, bone-chilling, and intricate. Actually, they're sometimes so intricate that, at times, it's hard to keep things straight. What with The Van Alen Legacy turning the series in a whole new direction, the release of Misguided Angel coming in October, and a spin-off series in the works, Keys to the Repository is a great, quick read that clears up a lot of questions readers may have.
Keys to the Repository has maps, character profiles, personal letters, companion short-stories, and tons of sneak previews of Wolf Pact and Misguided Angel. I especially loved the fact that it had a synopsis of the entire series. It really refreshed me of what has happened so far. I even caught a few details that I missed from reading the books.
There are also a few short stories thrown in. There's two with Sky and Jack (ooh-la-la), one with Dylan, and one with Kinglsey. The short-stories were great! They satisfied me with enough of Mel's writing and tone to last until Misguided Angel. I particularly enjoyed the Dylan short-story. Yes, I'm heart-broken that Dylan is dead. :'( Thanks, so much, to Mel for including the Dylan story! Also, there's a little Mimi-Kingsley action.... I think they are P-E-R-F-E-C-T for each other.
What I thought was great about Keys is that it had a list of all the terms used in Blue Bloods. It had their definitions and everything. This book gave me so much insight into the Blue Bloods world. It reminded me of why I love Blue Bloods so much.
I say it over and over and over again: Melissa de la Cruz is a saint. You all probably get sick of me emphasizing that, but that's the only way to express how much I admire her and the brilliant stories she weaves together. Despite having flawless writing, she's really a genuine, nice person. I've never met her in person, but I sure do want to! (Please! Come to Louisville for a signing!) I stalk her website and Twitter. I'm that in love with her novels. What I really appreciated is that she wrote a note to her readers as an introduction to Keys to the Repository. She wrote a sort-of thank you to her readers. That made me love her even more! In the recent interview with Tom Dolby that I did, he even mentioned how delightful Mel was.
Keys to the Repository is a must-read for fans of the series. But the main reason you should read it? It has teaser chapters of Wolf Pact and Misguided Angel! Hell to the yes!
So, my amazing friend John, from Dreaming In Books, has wrote a lovely essay on men and romance novels—from the gay teen’s perspective. You must go check it out! Here’s the link: http://dreaminginbooks.blogspot.com/2010/06/hes-reading-what-ins-and-outs-of-guy.html. Go comment! And tell him I sent you! (Then I’ll get some f*cking street cred.) Go, go! And also, I’m going to be in SLJ and VOYA! Yay, yay, yay!
Synopsis from Amazon:
A girl's gotta do who a girl's gotta do. Chastity Bryan has never been shy about going after what she wants. And when sexy, mysterious, so-not-from-this-town Sebastian walks into Chaz's life, she knows in an instant that what she wants next is him. Chaz has no intention of playing for keeps—but she most definitely has intentions. Who needs true love when you've got true lust? Sebastian has no idea what he's in for—but maybe neither does Chaz?
Brent's opinion of the novel:
Kiss It was delightfully truthful. I think that's why I liked it so much. The main character, Chaz (Chastity) has interesting views of boys, sex, and life. They're blunt and funny. That's just it. Chaz tells it how it is--which I love in a person. She's the power house chick for feminism and girl power! Which, I also love in a person.
Fom Kiss It, I expected the normal, expected summer romance. Erin Downing definitely delivered something that was neither normal nor expected. It was so close to real..... the voice, I mean. Erin Downing didn't hold back one bit---You GO GIRL! I really loved how Erin backed up her characters. Halfway through the book, we start to see a deeper side to Chaz. A side that reveals why she feels a need for sex and extra-ordinariness. I liked how Erin explored Chaz's base of self-worth and identity.
I could relate to Chaz's need of a new setting. She's tired of her small town, and running around doing the same shit with the same group of people. She. Wants. To.Get. The. Hell. Out. As do I! I loved how Chaz and I agree on pretty much everything--if she were a real person! I wish....
Erin Downing faces the fact that most adults are hesitant to admit in YA. Teens have sex. Yes, they do. A lot of adult reviewers hate YA lit that contains teen sex, but they need to get over it. It's becoming a growing issue in America, and it's only natural that it'll transpire into YA lit. I, actually, admire writers who include these types of issues in their YA novels. It shows that they're not writing to impress, but to write what's real. Kudos to Erin!
Kiss It is naughty. Very much so. It's so naughty that if you don't like cussing or sex (wait, if you don't like cussing or sex... why are you even reading my blog?) then you shouldn't read Kiss It. But if you like a novel that's truthful, hilarious, beautiful, and empowering. It's metaphorical for everything that I stand for and believe in.
Cover: Five Stars! (This cover is so ironic. I mean,cute little bunnies?)
What does it mean to be extraordinary? Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school. Soon the two girls are as close as sisters . . . until Mallory’s magnetic older brother, Ryland, appears. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe—but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she’ll discover the shocking, fantastical truth about Ryland and Mallory, and about an age-old debt they expect Phoebe to pay. Will she be strong enough to resist? Will she be special enough to save herself? In the vein of Nancy Werlin’s previous novel Impossible, Extraordinary is a tale of friendship, romance, and the faerie realm.
Brent's opinion of the novel:
Extraordinary is... well, extraordinary. There couldn't have been a better title. Extraordinary is a faerie story like I've never read. This was my first Nancy Werlin read, and just as I finish writing this review, I'm heading out to Borders to go buy Impossible. I'm a new fan!
Extraordinary is about a girl, Phoebe, who comes from a long line of greatness. Her ancestors being the Rothschilds, her life-success has been pretty much plotted out. When a weird new girl shows up at her school, Phoebe begins to question who she is and who her friends are. Even weirder, she finds herself drawn to the girl, Mallory. As the two become close friends, Phoebe starts looking deep into her family history. Who were the Rothschilds of the 1700's? And how far did they go to become extraordinary? The answers become more and more clear when Mallory's venturesome and alluring brother, Ryland, shows up.... Phoebe now has a decision. Put her trust in the innocuous Mallory, or the hypnotic Ryland? Her decision may determine the price she has to pay for her ancestor's mistakes.
Nancy Werlin's characters are some of the realest I've ever read. Phoebe's attitude and tone seemed right on point, what with her being a teenager and all. I loved how though the book isn't like, under parental control, though it's not really exploit. The characters don't say, "gosh darn that!" And they also don't say, "fuck this shit, look at that bitch slut!" That's something I really admire in an author, when they have the tone of a teenager just right. The language was perfect... Yes, there is cussing, but the language seemed natural. I mean, it's a fact. We teens cuss, and it should be accurately written into YA. It shouldn't be over done, and it shouldn't be glossed over. Extraordinary was perfect in that way. I'm really glad that Nancy Werlin understands that. ;)
I thought that the relationship between Phoebe and Mallory was one of the most interesting things about Extraordinary. Their relationship is one that I can relate to. (Mallory reminds me of my friend Tabetha!) Mallory and Phoebe speak and confide in each other as real-life friends would. As you all know, I'm a sucker for sappy friendsjip stories, and Mallory and Phoebe had me in tears at the end of this book.
Though I was completely engrossed from Chapter One, I did think that Extraordinary moved a little slow. Nothing major really happened until page 110, so it was sot of hard for me to get into. It felt somewhat dragged out.... though not much. The mysteriousness of the characters really had me hooked, though. So I was willingly turning thge pages quicker than I could say, "When does the stuff happen?" The writing was also deliciously tasteful, so of course I kept reading. ;)
Besides the characters, plot, and writing, the beack-story was what I REALLY loved. Sort of like the story behind the story. A couple of pages into Extraordinary, we read about Phoebe's family's past. And that's what really made Extraordinary complex.
I’m good! I’m super excited because I recently wrote up a guest post for an up-and-coming writer, Janet Trumble’s, blog. (Which I totally love!) You can see it HERE. Anyways, head over there and check it out—let me know what you think!
Where do you get your ideas?
I write the stories that I wish had been around when I was a teen—stories about sex, friendship, love, sexuality, God, drugs, alcohol… I had hugely important questions about that stuff as a teen but I wasn’t very good at asking the questions. And most adults in my life weren’t very good at giving answers. Now, as a so-called adult I get to ask and answer those questions through stories. In doing so, I’ve learned something important: If you write about things you deeply care about, chances are that other people will care about them too.
I’ve tried to write, but the words don’t come out the way I want, or I can’t sit still for more than five minutes, or I can’t think of what comes next after the first page, or… etc. Help!
Yep, writing is a bear. It’s really, really, really hard work. If you can do anything else, you’re probably better off doing that. But if you absolutely have to write, then read Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. She explains how to deal with all those pesky blocks to writing far better than I can in this little ol’ guest blog.
If writing is as hard as you say it is, then why do you do it?
Yeah, it’s hard, but it’s also my greatest joy—better than love, sex, booze, drugs, or chocolate cake. I get high off it. You see, down deep I’m really a self-centered hedonistic narcissistic dolt. But the second reason I do it is because people—both teens and adults—keep saying that my books help them to understand themselves and people they love. And I’m not completely totally self-centered. I write for Zak in Nebraska, and for Natasha in the Bronx, and for Jon who snuck my book out of the library because he was too scared to check it out but later returned it so it could help someone else, and for YOU.
Okay, I want to try to write a novel. But how will I get published?
Whoa! First you have to write the manuscript. Somehow, a lot of people kind of overlook that step. And you want to get the manuscript as good as it can be. That means a lot of revision. Nobody I know writes a book in just one draft. Most people write a lot of drafts. My first novel took about thirty drafts. Now I’ve got it down to about a measly dozen drafts before the manuscript is ready to go to galleys.
Are you serious?
Yep.
How the hell do you stick with it?
I need the support of other people. Friends, special readers, my amazing agent, an equally amazing editor. If you’re starting out, join a writers’ group or take a writing workshop. If you’re writing a book for teens, a good resource is www.scbwi.org. Other writers will help you develop your craft and—just as important—a good group will help to build your confidence. I know I needed that. And I still do. Writing is hard. (Did I already mention that?) Not only hard in terms of craft but also psychologically. Writing fiction is about emotional honesty—about letting other people know our deepest thoughts and feelings. About exposing our innermost selves.
Exposing myself sounds a little nasty—or at least naughty. Do I really have to do that?
Yes. And it gets worse. Thanks to those kind folks at Amazon.com, be prepared for every dork in the English-speaking world to let you, your mom, and everybody else know exactly what they think of what you thought was a precious labor of love. When we get up the nerve to share our writing, we make ourselves vulnerable, and most human beings will need others to help deal with all the critics out there who, IMHO, should shut up and write their own frickin books if they think they’re so smart.
You’re starting to scare me here. So, um, how long is this all going to take?
When I made a commitment to write my first novel, I figured it would take about a year. It ended up taking six long-long years. I’ve learned that’s about average time it takes for first novels. You learn by trial and error. Imagine one of those Nike ads gone horribly wrong: Just do it… and make mistakes, and more mistakes, and... Nine completed book-length manuscripts later, it finally does take me about a year to write a novel—but at that pace, I’m getting a little tired. But it’s too late now, I’m hooked.
Okay, in spite of everything you’ve said, I still want to try it. What do I do once I have my manuscript all revised, dandy, and good to go?
Once you’re ready to send it out, your chances of getting a publisher to read it will be infinitely greater if you work with an agent. To find one, visit the nifty website: www.aar-online.org. There, you can search for an agent using keywords like GAY or YOUNG ADULT. To avoid wasting time, the key is for you to identify and target agents who deal with the genre of your manuscript. In looking for an agent, the main thing to beware of any agent who charges money upfront. The agents on the AAR website won't. They only make money if they sell your manuscript.
One last question—if I want to write about LGBT teens, is there a large enough market?
There’s a huuuge audience—the same readership that likes to consume stories about sexy vegetarian vampires. Yep, teenage girls! They’ll read anything well written that includes elements of love, romance, sex, friendship, sexuality and social (in)justice. If those topics sound similar to the ones mentioned in my first question, you’re onto something Sherlock. Yes, indeed. Teen girls are my biggest readership. God bless ’em! I love you all. Muah!
Doesn’t it look fabulous? I *may* have a surprise contest over here in a week or so… watch out! 
Title: The Trouble Boy 
I placed my order for the free bookcase on June 21st, and it arrived June 22nd. Honestly. It shipped in a day! And the shipping only costs 6 dollars. That’s cheap, for such fast shipping.
It’s very sturdy. Look at all those books it’s holding! 
