Jay Bell's Blog, page 5

Last year, I embarked on an experiment where I invited a select group of readers to design a new character for the Something Like… series. This was done through a number of polls. From there, we took this new character and plonked him down in Austin, Texas to see what would happen. My job was to write a portion of story, present what I’d come up with on a weekly—sometimes bi-weekly—basis, and then ask my readers what they wanted to happen next via multiple choice. What was supposed to be a short story became an entire novel, which will be out later this year. I had a great time and found the experiment challenging in the best way possible. Everyone else seemed to have fun too, so we’re doing it again! This time the stakes are even higher, since we’re not limiting ourselves to the Something Like… series. At this point, I’m not sure what genre the new story will be, or where it will be set, or who the main character is because all of that is being voted on right now! Interested in joining us? If so, cruise on over to Patreon and plonk down two bucks. That’s the cost of entry for an entire month, and you get so much more than just this interactive story. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of Patreon, please read this post here, where I lay out just how important this platform is to me. If you’re already sold, get in on the action over on Patreon, because this is going to be a lot of fun!

The internet has made it possible for people to be creative and earn a living from it. That’s a wonderful thing which has allowed all sorts of previously overlooked genres to thrive. Gay fiction is the perfect example. Not many publishers were willing to take a risk on it before. Now it doesn’t matter, because authors can market directly to interested readers and still earn a living. That’s how it is now at least. That could very easily change at any moment. The best example of this is YouTube’s adpocalypse. You can read about that here, but basically a simple change of policy saw independent creators’ revenue drop by as much as eighty percent. I love YouTube. I watch all sorts of specialized videos that would never be popular enough to make mainstream television or even streaming services. Already some of my favorite creators have taken day jobs to make ends meet, and that means they aren’t producing as many videos. Soon we’ll see many of them quit. Most artists aren’t in it for the money, but we’ve all got to eat and contribute to our households. That’s why for the past year, I’ve been trying to establish an alternate source of income. For me, the solution is Patreon. I’ll be pushing that platform quite a bit this year, and pouring more energy into it. At times it has been like working an additional part-time job, but it’s worth the sense of security. If you’re not familiar with Patreon, it’s like Kickstarter except you contribute a small monthly amount to keep a creator going. Much like Kickstarter, there are perks. I’ve already written a book with my supporters, they’ve made it possible for me to start the Something Like Summer comic and help support another artist, and there have been many times the extra cash has saved my bacon. It’s been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. I’m not looking for a handout. I’m trying to repay the generosity through new stories and more, so it would mean a lot to me if you at least checked my Patreon page to see if you’re interested. Writing is not without its expenses. Aside from the obvious ones, like paying for editing services and advertising, some are extremely daunting. The audiobooks in particular are a huge investment, and it has gotten to the point where I really can’t afford to have them produced. I break even eventually, but it’s hard coughing up thousands (and thousands!) of dollars each time, not knowing if a similar policy change could bite me in the ass. Amazon already reduced the royalty amount that authors receive from Audible. If they do so again on any of their platforms, it could be ruinous. That multiple publishers have recently shut down in this genre should tell you just how lucrative it is. Not very, but I believe in these stories, and I don’t want to quit. So if you get tired of me singing the praises of Patreon, please keep in mind, this isn’t a money grab. It’s me working harder in the hopes of surviving.

Looking for something to do on June 24th? Why not join me in Kansas City? We can see a movie together! There’s a new one out called Something Like Summer. Sound good? Let’s plan on it! Yoo may not know this, but I was born and raised in the Kansas City area, and even though we moved to Missouri and then Texas, it wasn’t long before we returned home to Kansas. That’s why I’m so thrilled that the movie will be screening there. Think you can make it? Ben Baur (Jace himself!) will also be there, so it’s a guaranteed good time. After the movie, I plan on hanging out so we can all discuss our thoughts on the film. And hug a lot! I’m crazy about hugs. If you can’t catch a tornado to the Midwest, the movie will also be showing in Mumbai and San Diego soon. Check out the official movie site here for the all current screening details. Be sure to bookmark that page, because more places and times will be announced soon. If you do plan on attending the Kansas City screening, please let me know, and don’t be shy about coming over to say hello. I’m a friendly sort of guy.

It feels like ages since I released a new book, so I’m very pleased to present you with a nice thick volume of short stories. This one has something for everyone. If you’re hoping to spend time with your favorite characters, chances are they either have their own story in this collection or appear in a supporting role. If you’re hoping to meet someone new, we’ve got a few character debuts as well! I know some of you were frustrated with my previous release, Something Like Rain, mostly because it’s time for the plot to move on. I agree! Only three books remain in the series, and Something Like Stories: Volume Two is one of them. It includes funny stories, sad stories, romantic stories, and even one that is kind of scary. If this book doesn’t restore your faith in me, then it’s time for us to go our separate ways. I hope not though, because the next release is great, and the grand finale… Just you wait! Curious to know what exactly is included in this book? I’ll break it down below, but for those who prefer going in blind, you can order the paperback here, or get eBook versions from Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. I hope you enjoy!

Something Like Stories: Volume Two includes:

Something Like Infinity – When Ross Langdon, a high school Spanish teacher, is asked by a police officer to help catch an arsonist, he decides that Ben and Tim are the most likely culprits.

Something Like Turkey – Ben wants to give Tim and Jason the best Thanksgiving possible, but he’s never been the best cook, and that’s not likely to change.

Something Like Ornaments – It’s Ben and Tim’s first Christmas together since reuniting at the gallery, but the holiday spirit is endangered by a ghost from the past.

Something Like Champagne – Marcello enlists Tim to help him decipher a drunken memory, which sends them to a familiar place from their past.

Something Like Hearts – Kelly and Nathaniel have returned to Austin, but one of them is unsure of where he fits in.

Something Like Shamrocks – Layne Jenkins has never been lucky in love, despite attending every meeting of the gay youth group. A high-stakes bet soon has him pressured to change his fortune.

Something Like Bunnies – A young Jace Holden struggles with coming to terms with his sexuality thanks to a hunky foreign exchange student.

Something Like Flowers – Mother’s Day sends Jason on a quest to find out what happened to his mom.

Something Like Memories – Ben and Tim can’t agree on which day their anniversary should be, so one of them sets out to answer the question once and for all.

Something Like Sparks – Harold Franklin enjoys working for Marcello as an escort, but he decides that it might be time to settle down in the name of love.

Something Like Sun – Jason finally makes a difficult decision about his future with William.

Something Like Cake – Caesar Hubbard has broken more hearts than he can count, including his own. Wanting to change his ways, he seeks advice and receives it from an unexpected source.

Something Like Braaaains – Tim finds himself in a living nightmare on the scariest evening of the year.

Something Like Samson – The life of a cat may seem simple and easy, but this isn’t always the case!

After so many years of waiting, waiting, waiting, it feels great that things are now moving along quickly for the movie. Something Like Summer recently had its North American debut at the Prince Theater in Philadelphia. I was there along with the director and many of the actors. You can read about that here, and also watch the QnA that followed the movie. If you’re feeling down because you weren’t able to attend, two new opportunities have been announced. The next is on April 22nd in Miami, Florida. Something Like Summer will be part of the MiFo LGBT Film Festival. Tickets can already be purchased here. For my fellow Midwesterners, you can join me in Kansas for the Out Here Now Film Festival. Details are still being finalized, but the movie will be shown sometime during the week of June 22nd to the 29th. Folks in Sydney, Australia have another chance on April 1st (no joke!) at the Riverside Theater. If none of these things are close to you, don’t despair. More festival dates will be announced soon. Keep your eye on this page for a definitive list of what’s happening. In the meantime, why don’t you whet your appetite with the Something Like Summer movie trailer? Enjoy!

Man have I been waiting a long time to say this. *clears throat* The first United States screening of the Something Like Summer movie has been announced! qFLIX Philadelphia will be ending their gay film festival in style with the American debut of Something Like Summer. Yes yes yes! This screening will take place on March 19th, and while individual tickets aren’t on sale yet, you can make a long weekend of it and see lots of movies by purchasing their All Access Badge. This premier joins the one in Sydney Australia, which will first screen on February 25th, and again on April 1st.

What’s that you say? You don’t live in Philadelphia and still want to see the movie? Other festivals will be added as the movie is accepted into more of them. What about a trailer? Or a home release? I get those questions all the time and understand your need to know. That’s why I’ve created a movie page that will be updated with dates as they are added. It also answers your burning questions and has some cool behind-the-scenes videos to whet your appetite. So please, head on over there and bookmark the page. I have a feeling it’ll come in handy. It’s been a long long road, but the wait is nearly over. Soon we’ll all be munching popcorn and trying to decide if the book was better or not. (Hint: The movie is different, not necessarily better or worse.)

The story of Something Like Summer has come to life in a new way! I’ve always been a fan of comics. They combine visuals with text which, in my mind, is the best of both worlds. You still have the limitless budget of books and are able to go anywhere the imagination wanders while also adding colorful delights for the eye to enjoy. I’ve been wanting to adapt Something Like Summer in this way for years. I just couldn’t find the right artist. Then some wonderful person named Cassy Fallon sent jaw-dropping illustrations to my inbox and I knew the search was over. The timing couldn’t have been better. I was feeling devastated after writing Something Like Forever, the upcoming finale to the book series. I didn’t want to say goodbye to Ben, Tim, Jace and all the others. Now I won’t have to. Not exactly. And before you think to yourself, “Well, I already know what happens in the books. Why do I need a comic?” just know that this won’t be a simple adaptation. We’ve set the story in modern times and there will be plenty of other surprises as well. And yet, it will still fit in with the book series. Somehow. You’ll see! Hey, that’s a good idea! Go see for yourself! We’ve launched a new site, gaywebcomics.com, where we’ll be updating with a new page weekly. This weekend will see the first two pages released, one on Saturday, the other on Sunday, so be sure to stop by for both!

If there’s one undeniable truth I rage against, it’s that all good things must come to an end. Not just the good things. Everything has its time and place. People, relationships, civilizations. All of it. In this world anyway. Despite understanding this, at times I thought the Something Like… series would only cease to exist when I did. What can I say? When you’re in love, you tend to imagine that it’ll last forever. Maybe the series will return in some other format. (Television and Broadway, I’m still waiting for your call!) But for now, after months of deep thought and searching my heart, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m finally ready to let this story reach its conclusion. The Something Like… series is coming to an end.

The good news is that we still have a ways to go. A new year means new books, and 2017 will see the release of three Something Like… novels, starting with much of the exclusive content over on Patreon. The patrons there have very generously agreed to give that material a wider release, and boy is there a lot! Enough to fill a second volume of Something Like Stories. There’s also the book that the patrons helped steer. Right now it has the working title of Something Like Chance. We still need to vote on the title, but it will fit into the storm-themed books. So, by the end of 2017, the completed series should look like this:

#1 Something Like Summer

#2 Something Like Winter

#3 Something Like Autumn

#4 Something Like Spring

#5 Something Like Lightning

#6 Something Like Thunder

#7 Something Like Stories Volume 1

#8 Something Like Chance (final title forthcoming)

#9 Something Like Rain

#10 Something Like Stories Volume 2

#11 Something Like Forever

You may notice that Something Like Rain will be considered book #9 when it’s currently book #8. That’s due to the overall flow of the series. Thunder tells Nathaniel’s story, and Chance focuses on Marcello’s crew, so those two books seem like better neighbors to me. The end of Rain brings us back around to the season-themed characters, namely Ben and Tim. They of course will be starring in the final book, Something Like Forever. The first draft is already written. All of the above books have already been written. They only need to be edited to perfection.

If you’re sad about the series ending, I am too. We’re in for a grand finale though! Not only will next year see the publication of three new books, but the near-mythical movie will finally get released too. I also have another project cooking that I’m not quite ready to reveal. So while the end is in sight, there is still plenty more to experience. One final hoorah before it’s time to say goodbye. The best way you can prepare for this is by signing up for my newsletter. I plan on releasing these books when they’re ready. I won’t be messing around with preorders, so the newsletter is the best way of being notified. Oh, and if you have any questions about this news, there’s a decent chance I can answer them with a video! See the new “Ask Me Anything” section for details!

Boy Meets Boys Reviews has been kind enough to invite me to their site. They’re celebrating their third anniversary, and rightly so, since they’re a truly excellent resource for book lovers. I took the opportunity to seek our a silver lining in these worrying times, in particular the problems LGBT people face and will continue to do so. If you’re in need of some positivity, stop by and give the article a read. While you’re there (and assuming you’re reading this before December 7th) you can enter to win one of three autographed books from me. More details over on their site!

The latest book in the Something Like… series is now available on audio! This one tells William’s story, starting with his life just before meeting Kelly, his years in the Coast Guard, and beyond to his new life with Jason Grant. That’s a lot of ground to cover, which is why this one is a whopping twenty hours long! You can get started for free with the first hour below. If that doesn’t convince you, there are more samples from other books and even a free short story here on the audio page. For those who know what they like and simply want to get it, you can purchase Something Like Rain from Audible, iTunes, and Amazon. I hope you enjoy! This one retreads some old ground, but it also sets up the grand finale that the series is steadily moving toward. More on that next time!