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Thursday, December 20, 2018
New Gay eBook Delayed
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Now That We’re Grown: A Gay Romance Short Story
After college, they reunite in Dallas as more than friends. Gavin now designs facilities for people with physical challenges. Peter looks for a job to match his business administration degree. The past might destroy their relationship, or their love might change their lives.
MM romance/gay romance. Contains bullying, threats, mild violence, and sexual references.
I’m now revising this gay romance short story. It’s longer than the earlier versions that appeared at NetGalley and elsewhere. I’ll post it in multiple parts at Wattpad. Watch for more scenes there in the months ahead.
Keywords: Gay love, gay romance, MM, gay couples, LGBTQ, Latino, Hispanic, disability, living with disabilities, queer disabled, disabled gay, disabled representation, wheelchair, diversity, bullying, cyberbullying, short stories, fiction, eBooks.
Thursday, September 06, 2018
Free Read: Humor in a Small Town
Permafree!
In this free comedy eBook, a West Texas librarian makes fun of herself and the other people in her town, while writing about her reasons for wanting to lose weight.
Pamela Mae Willard must learn to love herself. Still, she can’t resist laughing about her problems, and about the adventures of the colorful characters in Acorn, Texas.
This irreverent, politically incorrect tale reveals a woman finding joy in life, no matter what happens to her and no matter who mistreats her.
This short story also appears in The Acorn Gathering. Some of its characters also appear in The Acorn Stories.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Read about Queer Books at Digital Book Girl
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Looking back at queer collection Holding Me Together
, StoneWall Society Pride in the Arts Award. This anthology of essays and poems explores many social issues, while celebrating friendship, love, gay pride, and writing. This collection, quoted by many authors and Web masters, includes the multi-part essay “Reactions to Homophobia,” followed by poems and short essays on a variety of topics, such as writing, AIDS, religion, violence, family, friendship, and gay relationships.
Dann Hazel used “Reactions to Homophobia” as one of the resources for his book Witness: Gay and Lesbian Clergy Report from the Front. The Queensland Government’s Community Benefit Fund and PFLAG Brisbane used the same essay as a resource for the booklet Assisting Those Who Come Into Regular Contact with Lesbian and Gay Youth.
In a review appearing both at QMediaReviews.com and in EXP Magazine, SouthWest Edition, critic Shawn Revelle called the revised, second edition of Holding Me Together “an inspiring and timely collection of works.” Revelle went on to share details about the book, which he also referred to as “a worthwhile and life-affirming read.”
“In his exploration of what it is to be gay, Simolke manages to touch on a more fundamental truth: what it is to be human.” –Watchword.
“If I had a magic wand, I would put this book in the hands of all our gay or questioning youth.” –author, painter, dancer Copernicus again.
“Duane Simolke’s voice is gentle, reasoned, assured, but will leave you gasping for breath.” –author Ronald L. Donaghe.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Cancer fundraiser featured on book site
Sunday, August 05, 2018
Gay Flash Fiction: The Recruiter
Saturday, July 28, 2018
New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio Featured at Site MyBookPlace
Ch. I: Introduction
Ch. II: Anderson And Stein: Symbiosis
Ch. III: Teachers Groping In The Dark
Ch. IV: Men And Women
Ch. V: “More Than Man Or Woman”
Ch. VI: Industrialism: The Machine In The Berry Field
Ch. VII: Conclusion: Closing The Book Of The Grotesque
Sunday, June 24, 2018
M/M Gay Story About Love and Loss at Gay Flash Fiction
Gay Flash Fiction features “Very Short Fiction—Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex themed.” Readers can find stories via the archive, the search engine, or a long list of thematic tags. Authors can submit their stories via the posted guidelines. The site also features editing tips, related links, and much more.
Alex Hogan, Michael Ampersant, and Nikolaos Thiwerspoon serve as editors. Visit their sites to read about their original works and some of the other authors they like.
Saturday, June 09, 2018
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read: The Acorn Stories
"The stories cover a bit of everything that small town life entails, from the don't know what you've got til it's gone romance to the dedicated teacher to nosy neighbors, etc. The point is these people could be anywhere in any small town, including your own."
Friday, June 08, 2018
Featured Author in Eli Summers's LGBTQ Pride 2018 Authors Showcase
Wednesday, June 06, 2018
Taldra: #ScienceFiction Adventures Featured in La Jersey Chika Reads (@LJCRIB). #BookBlog #SciFi
From the blogger:
"Hi, everybody, I am a 30ish something years old shorty animal lover, Latina book geek. I love to read and review books. My name is Katiria I live in New Jersey with my pup Mayci."
Visit Katiria's blog often to read about indie and traditional releases, or for details about book review requests, how to appear in the spotlight, and more. I'm honored to appear on a blog that celebrates indie books and glad that Katiria included me!
To find more reader/writer resources, click the tags at the end of this entry.
Monday, June 04, 2018
Martha A. Cheves Reviews The Acorn Stories: "I loved this book and the memories it brought back."
She also invited me to share a recipe from one of the characters in The Acorn Stories. In fact, all of her book reviews at that blog include a recipe from the authors. That combination creates a unique merging of creativity: the creation of food and the creation of stories.
Readers might recognize the name Martha A. Cheves from the blog and book Stir, Laugh, Repeat, as well as her Think With Your Tastebuds cookbooks.
Lovers of good books and good food should visit A Book and A Dish and follow Martha A. Cheves at Goodreads.
Saturday, June 02, 2018
Eli Summers (@EliSAuthor) Celebrating #PrideMonth with #PrideAuthorShowcase
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Gay Cowboy Vampire Highlander
Monday, May 28, 2018
Author John H Manhold Reviews Texas Fiction Collection
Read the full review at Manhold's blog.
John H. Manhold has studied and written text books in multiple fields. The World War II and Korea veteran is also a novelist, sculptor, and safety instructor, among other skills that readers can learn about at his blog.
Gay SciFi at Digital Book Girl Blog
Taldra: Science Fiction Adventures: Gay SciFi at Digital Book Girl.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Featured Blog: @SciFiFrontiers Brings Together #SciFi/#Fantasy/#Horror Fans
Numerous contributors have posted entries so far, and the site includes details on how more collaborators can join. A few recent topics: Timeless, Avengers: Infinity War, Robert Louis Stevenson, Star Wars Resistance, Bad Samaritan, The Man from Atlantis, StarGate, and Dark Matter.
Read about Sons of Taldra at Sci Fi Frontiers.
Monday, May 07, 2018
Tome Tender Book Blog’s #BookReview of #Texas comedy/drama The Acorn Stories and More. @DiiBylo
Tome Tender is a book blog that features “Book Reviews, Author Interviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Covers and Other Book Related Thoughts!” New reviews appear frequently, listed under the author’s name and promoted on DiiBylo’s twitter account. Information about book review requests also appears on the blog.
An excerpt from the review of The Acorn Stories follows.
“Welcome to Acorn, Texas, a small town probably like ANY town, but instead of driving past it, Duane Simolke is going to let us in on what goes on behind closed doors. It may take a village to raise a child, but that same village could also drive the poor kid crazy!”
Please also see Tome Tender’s review of Taldra: Science Fiction Adventures.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Featured #BookBlog: LEONARD TILLERMAN: Author, Book Blogger, Book Reviewer @mywritersnook
I realize that many reviewers can only supply a paragraph or two and that longer reviews tend to include spoilers. However, his review of my book The Acorn Stories goes into a lot of depth about the characters, structure, themes, and more, all without giving away any surprises. I've noticed the same about his other reviews. Readers looking for a good read or writers hoping for exposure should visit http://leonardtillerman.com/.
Find more resources via the tags below this entry.
Keywords: book promotion, books to read, book love.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Expanded Coverage of Gay SciFi Book
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Gay SciFi Novel is the Featured eBook at ContentMo
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
New update to The Bible and Gays
Friday, April 06, 2018
Wanted: Book Reviewers and Book Bloggers to Write About Texas Fiction Collection
From romantic comedy to razor-sharp satire to moments of quiet reflection, The Acorn Stories transform a fictional West Texas town into a tapestry of human experiences.
“A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” –Kirkus Reviews
“There are people that you like, some that you can’t wait to see if they get theirs.” –Joe Wright, StoneWall Society
“A well-crafted collection of short stories.” –L. L. Lee, author of Taxing Tallula
“Duane Simolke is one of our great American writers just ready to be recognized as such. He has the talent and the imagination and the humanity and the perspective to make each of our lives richer. Bravo!” –Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer
“Each story is intertwined rather than just there for entertainment and each character is well-defined and the humor throughout the book makes it a pleasure and an easy and enjoyable read.” –Chandler, Amazon #1 Hall of Fame Reviewer
Wednesday, April 04, 2018
Tuesday, April 03, 2018
Featured Book Blog: It's Write Now
From the blog: "Books are to be shared! Every day we hand-pick quality free and discount Kindle books and share them with our readers to spread the joy of reading."
It's Write Now helps readers find free or discounted eBooks every day and helps readers share about those books. The newest entries appear first, but readers can also click through under genres, discount, or free. They can also find blog entries and author interviews. It looks like a good place for readers and writers to connect.
Book reviewers needed for gay science fiction adventure. Free eBook 4/3/2018 only.
Queer scifi, LGBT scifi, queer spec.
Monday, April 02, 2018
Book blogger Leonard Tillerman gives "5 Small Town Stars" to The Acorn Stories, offers more suggestions for readers and writers
"This ability to capture the raw emotions of his readers is an ingenious tool used by Duane Simolke. He is able to achieve it through beautiful writing and compelling character development."
The review also goes in depth about many other aspects of The Acorn Stories, but without any spoilers. Please have a look at the review and also look around some more while you're there.
Besides a constantly updated list of book reviews, Leonard's blog also includes his tips on book marketing, blog writing, and many other related topics. He actively updates and promotes the blog, to ensure visibility for himself and the other writers he covers.
LEONARD TILLERMAN: Author, Book Blogger, Book Reviewer
Friday, March 30, 2018
Writing news.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Flash Fiction: Gay Cowboy Vampire Highlander (no, really)
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Featured Book Blog: Speculative Fiction Spot
Dark speculative fiction author Renee Scattergood started this blog as a companion to Renee's Author Spotlight but with an emphasis on scifi, fantasy, and horror. Visit her network of sites for a free eBook and a lot of reading recommendations.
Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure at Speculative Fiction Spot.
Please click the tags under this entry to find more reader and writer resources; please also use the icons to share this blog entry.
Featured Book Blog: My Book Place
My Texas Humor Book at MyBookPlace.Net
Find more reader and writer resources via the tags under this entry.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Book Reviews Continue During 20th Anniversary Year of The Acorn Stories
- “Duane Simolke is one of our great American writers just ready to be recognized as such. He has the talent and the imagination and the humanity and the perspective to make each of our lives richer. Bravo!” –Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer
- “I love the numerous small wins of the characters and the unexpected turns of luck.” –Billy O.
- “Having spent quite a bit of time in Texas, I could see each character matching someone I know or have met in my time there.” –Noel D
- “Amazing and hard to put down.” –Kimmie Sue’s Book Review and More
- “Snapshots of the lives of people and their life-changing encounters that will leave lasting impressions on you.” –Michelle Williams
- “Readers who enjoy immersive first person stories about small town life and the human condition will love this book.” –Purple
- “The author demonstrates a healthy understanding of human nature.” –John H. Mangold
- “Amazing and hard to put down.” –Kimmie Sue’s Book Review and More
The Acorn Stories.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Flame.Con: The World’s Largest Queer Comic Con
This is their fourth year. Last year’s FlameCon received considerable coverage from SyFy.Com and other media, as well as praise from attendees. I’m promoting Sons of Taldra as an online sponsor. My FlameCon sponsor page.
Guests this year include comic illustrators and/or comic artists Brittney Williams, Atla Hrafney, Jen Bartel, Tee Franklin, Kris Anka, and Sina Grace. Flame.Con is still adding more guests at this time. Please visit the site to read more about the guests, sponsors, and ways to get involved (or just to sign up for updates). Please support queer representation in the arts.
Please also see my blog entry Sons of Taldra: What is Gay SciFi?
Featured Book Blog: Author Features at Renee's Author Spotlight
From the blog description:
"If you're a reader, I hope you will browse these pages and support the authors within them! You can show your support by buying their books, writing reviews and posting them on relevant sites (such as Amazon and Goodreads) as well as your own blog (if you have one), and you can help spread the word by sharing these Author Spotlights on your social media sites."
Renee Scattergood writes dark fantasy, including the Shadow Stalker series.
Renee's Author Spotlight listing for my book Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure.
Keywords: find books, book promotion. Find more reader and writer resources by clicking the tags below this post.
Friday, March 02, 2018
Featured Book Blog: The Novel Approach
I love the banner quote: "I am too fond of reading books to care to write them."
Follow on twitter to keep up with the constant updates.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Sons of Taldra: What is Gay SciFi?
The terms gay scifi, gay science fiction, queer scifi, etc., refer to science fiction with gay themes or gay characters in major roles. Several related and more inclusive terms exist as well, bringing in other genres and other orientations—lesbian fantasy, queer horror, queer fantasy, LGBT speculative fiction, etc.
My novel Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure is another example of gay scifi, though Sons focuses a lot more on gay relationships. Both novels also appear as one specially priced eBook.
Sons of Taldra has three book trailers so far. I’ve included those in the YouTube video playlist Gay SciFi, which also contains videos about books, movies, TV shows, and more from other creatives.
Sons of Taldra: Teaser Trailer.
I also have a special list of my twitter followers: LGBT SciFi/Fantasy/Horror. It covers a wide variety of related topics from the perspectives of numerous fans and/or creators. Keep in mind, though, that some members there post tweets that are not safe for work (NSFW).
For details about more related authors, books, and resources, visit QueerSciFi.Com and Gay Geek and Fabulous (Official GayGeeks).
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Revised version of fantasy adventure now out.
Revised eBook, published 2018 on Kindle.
Sometimes, going home is the most dangerous adventure of all!
The Return of Innocence blends humor and romance with exciting fantasy action. Visit Theln, a planet of magic, dragons, nobility, and heroes. Sasha Varov was born into a noble home in the Thelni kingdom of Jaan, but Sasha’s father dared to oppose the king’s sorcerer, Wuhrlock. Sasha and her family became exiles on a desolate island.
At sixteen, Sasha left her island home to buy seeds in Jaan. She stumbled into a series of misadventures that ended with the death of Wuhrlock and made Sasha a legend, known as “Innocence.” Never mind that the legend barely resembled the truth, or that Sasha caught Wuhrlock in an unguarded moment. When Sasha returned for more seeds, the people of Jaan expected her to defeat a much more ruthless and powerful sorcerer.
I wrote the short story “The Return of Innocence” in 1983. With contributions by Toni Davis, I later developed it into a novel. As with all of my books, it includes gays and people of color.
Disclaimer: Admittedly, some of the readers who like my other works have no comment about this one, and one critic really tore apart the first edition. Still, I wanted to create a light-hearted and fun novel, and I enjoyed the adventure. Some reactions follow.
“This was a really fun fantasy book. I loved the world Simolke created, because it has the traditional ‘medieval’ sort of feel what with how it took place in villages where people bartered and traded, but it had many modern elements that I appreciated.” –Shawn C. Sproatt, author of The Misfit of Supernatural High (Supernatural High Series)
“As an avid Simolke reader, one way I judge a book is that I want to know more about the characters that are introduced to me. ‘The Return of Innocence’ is one of those books. (Duane, take the hint.)” –Joe Wright, for StoneWall Society
“In 'The Return of Innocence', Duane Simolke once again proves his writing mastery.” –Mark Kendrick, author of Stealing Some Time
“Not your typical swashbuckler.” –Bob Medak, for Allbooks Reviews
“An engrossingly successful story-teller.” –William Maltese, author of Beyond Machu
Friday, February 23, 2018
New Interview About SciFi and More
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Reviewers Wanted for Gay Science Fiction Novel
If you are interested, you can read the book for free via this link: Reading Deals: Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure. Reading Deals is free to join, and they're hosting the book for reviews. They also have other books to review, as well as bargain-priced eBooks.
Sons of Taldra will be free for reviewers at Amazon on 3/15/18.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
On the planet Valchondria, no illness exists, gay marriage is legal, and everyone is a person of color. However, a group called “the Maintainers” carefully monitors everyone's speech, actions, and weight; the Maintainers also force so-called “colorsighted” people to hide their ability to see in color.
The brilliant scientist Taldra sees her twin gay sons as the hope for Valchondria's future, but one of them becomes entangled in the cult of Degranon, while the other becomes stranded on the other side of a doorway through time. Can they find their way home and help Taldra save their world?
Keywords: gay scifi, queer scifi, diversity in science fiction, scifi adventures.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Monday, February 12, 2018
Book Review: "Empathetic presentation of an unusual group of small-town residents."
From his bio at that site:
"John is a member, and former officer, of numerous professional, writer, and art associations, as well as an elected Regulator of SASS and a member of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association with numerous prizes in their competitions."
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Reader/Writer Resource: LenkasList.Com
Read about The Acorn Stories at LenkasList.Com.
Monday, February 05, 2018
WordRefiner.Com Reviews West Texas Fiction Collection
From the review:
"I found this wonderful collection of related short stories to be fully engaging! I was completely drawn into these true-to-life vignettes of a fictional small town."
WordRefiner.Com is a book review and book editing site. Visit now for more details.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
BooksGoSocial.Com creates new trailers for Gay SciFi Adventure
We thought the aliens wouldn’t find us. We thought we could trust the Maintainers. We were wrong.
The Iroquois scientist Taldra became Leader of our world a year before the alien shapeshifters attacked. Her twin gay sons, Telius and Argen, will rally to her side.
Telius, a former time traveler, wants to marry his boyfriend, a former spy. Argen, a prodigy with a troubled past, modifies a handsome captain’s vessel for the battle.
Our world’s other protectors hold dark secrets that might pose an even greater threat than the invaders.
Add Sons of Taldra to Your Goodreads Reading List
Monday, January 15, 2018
Two Gay Geeks PodCast
We chat with @DuaneSimolke about his anthology, Taldra: Science Fiction Adventures. https://t.co/nSVeQux3CR
— Two Gay Geeks (@TheTwoGayGeeks) January 15, 2018
I talked with Two Gay Geeks about Taldra, my writing, scifi, strong female characters, and gay representation.
From their blog:
Ben and Keith are The Two Gay Geeks behind TG Geeks Webcast, where our motto is “You name it, We talk about it.” ™Our website is headquarters for our Webcast as well as articles and reviews on a variety of subjects. We cover all aspects of Geek-dom and Nerd-ery. As our motto implies, we talk about almost anything. We do tend to talk more on the Sci Fi, Comics, Film, Horror, and Genre, but we have been known to talk about Opera and Disneyland on occasion. We have become passionate about supporting Independent Creators whether that is film, comics, music, or authors we are always open to talking with creators of all types.
So, come along and join our wild ride to wherever we are going.
Monday, January 08, 2018
KindleBookPromotions
KindleBooksPromotions: Sons of Taldra: A Science Fiction Adventure.