Love Is Free Anthology

JMS Books has published a new anthology called Love Is Free and all proceeds go to the ACLU. I have a short story in the anthology called "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" and it's a Covid love story about two Chicago guys, Aaron Bailey and Jonathan Phillips who, after meeting on a hookup app, start a relationship. Things are good, at first, but then problems arise: Jonathan is closeted and Aaron isn't, Covid strikes, and family problems loom. Can love save the day? 

The anthology is available for sale now and there's a link in the sidebar to buy a copy. Check it out! I got my comp copy last week and I'm looking forward to reading it and enjoying the stories my fellow authors contributed (in addition to my own work). This book is coming at a great time with a great purpose, so I hope readers support our efforts and help us help the ACLU!

Escape from New York

I took a little trip to New York this holiday weekend and had a great time seeing some friends and seeing some shows. I just made it out before bad weather was moving in yesterday afternoon. When I was getting my checked bag tag at the United terminal yesterday afternoon, the airline had the nerve to ask if I wanted a voucher to take a later flight. Uh, no! Although I enjoyed my weekend trip to NY, I was ready to head home and sleep in my own bed last night. I also worried that I'd end up getting stuck in Newark if the weather really turned out there and I couldn't fly out.

During my brief visit, I went to see Wynton Marsalis for one of his Jazz at Lincoln Center shows titled "Cool School and Hard Bop." The show was excellent and I highly recommend checking out Jazz at Lincoln Center if you're into that kind of music while you're in NY. I also went to see MJ the Musical while I was in town. Excellent also. I love a good jukebox musical and the songs and dancing in MJ did not disappoint. 

I had not visited New York since 2023, so it was nice to get back to the city for a visit this year. I used to go frequently when I had to travel there for work, but those days are over now that we're mostly working from home these days. I miss New York sometimes, but I don't miss the high rent, the speed walking, and the crowds. I don't know how regular people can afford to live there now. I couldn't afford to live there now! I couldn't afford the apartment where I used to live in Brooklyn. It's too expensive for me now. I seriously downgraded my housing costs when I left New York and I'd glad I made the decision to leave back in 2013. It was the right choice at the time and I don't regret it. I had my New York experience and it was great, but I knew I would be leaving eventually. I wasn't in it for the long-haul, that's for sure. 

Happy MLK, Jr. Day! (I'm ignoring the return of Donny T.)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Having the holiday in the middle of the week is odd, but a day off is a day off, right? (I've actually been off from my day job all week, but I'll be back tomorrow, unfortunately.)

While 2024 wasn't a particularly bad year for me because I got to go to Madeira, Portugal in May and had a great time. (See the photo below from my trip.) I also survived another year, healthwise and workwise, so that's always good. I wish I could say I was looking forward to 2025, but with Donny T. in charge in a few short weeks, I'm not optimistic about the year to come. But, I'm blocking that noise for now and trying to enjoy the time now before Donny's regime comes back into power. 

My publisher, JMS Books, has an anthology coming out later this month called Love Is Free. (See the sidebar photo.) All proceeds from the book will be going to the ACLU. I have a short story included called Whenever, Wherever, Whatever. It's a love story during the height of Covid. 

RIP, Jimmy Carter and Nikki Giovanni (who I neglected to mention earlier).