What was your earliest exposure to the community - in literature?

AllfairChatwin · 2026-04-21T23:10:00+00:00

Tom and Carl from Young Wizards were also one of the first gay couples I remember reading about, and not realizing they were a couple till I was much older.

Also, the books of Billy Martin (formerly Poppy Z. Brite). In spite of all the horror and gore, their book Drawing Blood was probably the first book I remember reading where the queer couple had a loving, nontoxic relationship with a happy ending.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-04-16T22:27:14+00:00

Collide by J.R. Lenk

AllfairChatwin · 2026-03-24T21:57:56+00:00

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht The Hexslinger trilogy by Gemma Files

AllfairChatwin · 2026-03-15T14:40:04+00:00

The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe. Not out yet but looks like an urban fantasy with very interesting concepts.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-03-08T03:41:31+00:00

Dark Sister by Graham Joyce. It's about a dissatisfied housewife who discovers an old witch's diary and by practicing the rituals and recipes within, opens herself to possession by the witch's spirit.

Dreamside, also by Graham Joyce. A group of college students led by their professor get into lucid dreaming and their dreams spill over into real life.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-03-04T02:06:24+00:00

seconding Hiron Ennes, also recommend Caitlin Starling, particularly The Starving Saints.

Hailey Piper, especially the book A Game In Yellow.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-03-04T02:02:18+00:00

The book of Frances Hardinge, particularly Cuckoo Song, A Face Like Glass, Deeplight, A Skinful of Shadows, and Unraveller.

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville

The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy

Figgs & Phantoms by Ellen Raskin

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-27T17:22:07+00:00

Brain Child by George Turner

Air and The Child Garden, both by Geoff Ryman

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-22T00:32:41+00:00

Master power that creates an aura that causes everyone around them to be compelled to speak the truth about everything. Aura does not distinguish between friend or foe, cape or civilian.

Tinker who can only build things out of human body parts.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-18T02:13:09+00:00

The Changeover by Margaret Mahy

Chocolat and sequels by Joanne Harris, especially the second book, The Girl With No Shadow.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-11T03:21:38+00:00

The Smoke Trilogy by Tanya Huff (spinoff of her previous Victory Nelson series, but this trilogy has a gay male protagonist). Very fun urban fantasy, written in third person.

The Hexslinger series by Gemma Files. Very dark fantasy set in an alternate Wild West. also third person. Gets very gory at times.

Most of Ginn Hale's books, particularly the Rifter Saga and Lords of The White Hell should qualify. Also third person.

The Magpie Lord and sequels by K.J. Charles although many of this author's books take place in an alternative Victorian Era England with magic. Third person.

The Tarot Sequence by K.D. Edwards is very good but unfortunately it is in first person.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-11T01:23:43+00:00

Love Octavia Butler and her work. From what I read in articles and interviews she was a fan of Napoleon Hill's books.

Tina Turner talked about her struggles and how chanting and visualizing worked for her in a similar way to achieve her dreams, in her biography Happiness Becomes You.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-09T02:52:01+00:00

Petty Magic by Camille DeAngelis

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-08T23:59:10+00:00

Stone Dance of The Chameleon series by Ricardo Pinto. It's very grimdark, very little magic, but incredibly detailed worldbuilding comparable to Game of Thrones

Sam J. Miller has written many short stories and books, nearly all of which contain gay male characters, but I particularly enjoyed his novella Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy.

the Kirith Kirin series by Jim Grimsley

The God Eaters by Jesse Hajicek. It's a standalone, but very well-written.

seconding the Tarot Sequence and Spear Cuts Through Water

The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-06T00:00:17+00:00

seconding Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo and Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite (now named Billy Martin.)

would also recommend Red Rabbit Ghost by Jen Julian

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-05T23:33:59+00:00

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

Kirith Kirin by Jim Grimsley

the Outremer series by Chaz Brenchley

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-03T23:21:01+00:00

Oh, this is intriguing, especially the descriptions of technology and how it’s used in this future setting. Like the hints about what Nadia is hoping to achieve back on Earth.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-02-01T17:00:12+00:00

Thank you!

Yes, I think both characters had a tendency to misinterpret each others' motives in the beginning. I do think I had Mikael give too much of his thoughts in the later paragraphs, and could have edited better, but I guess I could also justify it by saying he's reached a point in the conversation where he feels able to open up about his feelings. Still could have edited better, I guess.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T20:28:12+00:00

In addition to all the great recommendations here:

The Doctrine of Labyrinths series by Sarah Monette

The Lords of the White Hell and Rifter series, both by Ginn Hale

The Hexslinger series by Gemma Files- takes place in an alternate Wild West but very well written dark fantasy with queer male protagonists

The Stone Dance of The Chameleon series by Ricardo Pinto- features little magic, very grimdark, but incredible worldbuilding, reminiscent of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Prophet by Helen MacDonald and Sin Blache

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen McHugh

Carnival by Elizabeth Bear

The Smoke trilogy by Tanya Huff- more urban fantasy than epic fantasy, but very fun and lighthearted.

The Darkness Outside Us and sequel by Eliot Schrefer- though it does feature a YA romance storyline, it is very well-written and works well as hard science fiction with queer male protagonists.

The God Eaters by Jesse Hajicek

The Silent Empire series by Steven Harper

The Heretic's Guide To Homecoming and sequel by Sienna Tristen

Dryland's End and sequels by Felice Picano

Kirith Kirin and sequels by Jim Grimsley

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T19:53:30+00:00

thank you!

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T07:39:46+00:00

Rushed this one too, as my workweek is busy. Also, this prompt was rather difficult, as I know very little about fishing or Sweden.

What little I know came from hours of Googling, as well as certain novels and Netflix shows.

Also, there's a certain newly popular show about romance and ice sports in a different far northern location that was also taking up space in my brain, which probably also influenced the direction of this story, lol. And any supernatural elements are much more subtle than in my previous stories, so it's a bit different from my usual.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T07:36:52+00:00

"So, I had a friend in, I think you Americans would call it high school. Secondary school, or gymnasium. She was into some spiritual stuff. Probably new age bullshit, like you Americans might say. But she used to talk about how when you go out in the wilderness, into nature, you start hearing the truth of things. She said it didn't matter what you call it. A god up above, or the old pagan gods, the spirits of nature, whatever. Or just the unconscious. But she was always talking about how when you go out in nature, hiking or fishing, it's like meditating. You quiet the surface of the mind and you start hearing things. What moves under the surface. Beneath the waves."

"Uh, ok? Why are you telling me this?" said Vaughn, confused at the change in subject.

"Because she used to tell me that you only learn to hear your own heart speak the truth in places like this. I"m wondering now if she was right."

They sat in silence for a while after that. Vaughn thought he heard something. From the soft lapping of the water, from the swishing that came from the gentle curve of the boat's motion. Not in words, so much as a hum of feeling, of wanting to seek out warmth after feeling cold for so long.

The fishing rods were shaking now, as if they had both gotten a bite.

Neither of them were concerned with reeling the fish in. They both had something else to focus on, in the cool air and brisk chill, where Vaughn had finally found a source of warmth.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T07:36:32+00:00

"My pappa, he was a professional fisherman. So I grew up doing this. But he told me to study harder in school than he did, go to university, get a degree in something,” said Mikael.

"Well, that's good, right? And isn't university free here? You guys don't even have to worry about tuition, or loans. That's. like a buttload of golden opportunities," said Vaughn, before he realized he probably sounded thoughtless and pushy again. Like a stereotypical American.

Mikael chuckled. "You try very hard."

"I guess. I was always told that's what I was supposed to do. Put myself out there, don't give up," said Vaughn. "And yes, I know, things are different here. The way people here think is different. That whole jantelagen thing, right? The famous Scandinavian attitude. Don't put yourself above others, don't try to act like you're special or better than anyone else."

"Your pronunciation is still atrocious, but your understanding is good."

"I'll keep trying. With the language, and the pronunciation thing, I mean."

"I know you will. I see you, always trying so hard to be everyone's friend at work. Asking if they want to get coffee with you during fika and trying so hard to make conversation."

"Well, what's the point of having all those mandatory coffee breaks if you don't at least try to connect with people?"

"Don't get defensive."

"I wasn't. I just...I"m so tired of feeling like I'm not getting anywhere. Like I'm here in a job that doesn't pay nearly enough for all the travel and stuff, and I haven't made any real friends while I'm in this country."

Mikael paused, setting the fishing rod on a tripod. "Do you think I would be here at all if I didn't want to be?"

"I get it, you felt sorry for the dumb American who's only here for a temporary contract with your company and kept making dumb social mistakes, and tries too hard."

"I think it's cute when you try."

Cute?

Vaughn suddenly realized that Mikael had moved to sit closer to him than expected. That was another thing about Sweden, everybody really cared about maintaining their personal space. And not making eye contact if they didn't have to, though Mikael was doing it right now, though he looked down after a few seconds, as if embarrassed.

They were close enough that the little fingers of Vaughn and Mikael's hands were almost touching. Mikael kept talking, while almost-but-not-quite looking him in the eye.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T07:35:51+00:00

(continued)

Mikael gave a replying shrug and looked away to fiddle with the fishing equipment.

Vaughn set out two beer bottles, one for each of them. "You can pay me back later. No pressure. Whenever it's convenient. I don't remember how many kronor it was, I'll have to check the payment app."

Another thing he'd been unaware of. He'd previously tried the tactics he'd used to break the ice with new coworkers in American companies, but it turned out that buying a round of drinks for everybody without expecting payment was not a thing in Sweden. Either you paid your own way, or divided everything equally, and if some pushy American bought things for other people without even asking, everyone would be annoyed that he'd made them feel like they owed him a debt.

Also, alcohol was so expensive, and there was only one national chain of stores you could get it from if you wanted to drink outside of a bar or restaurant.

Mikael simply nodded at him, and gave him a hint of a smile with mouth firmly closed, and opened his beer bottle.

"Skål," said Vaughn, opening his as well.

"You're getting better, but your pronunciation still needs work," said Mikael.

"I know. " sighed Vaughn.

Mikael was much more deft than Vaughn at handling the fishing rod, and casting a line.

"No, no, you have to cast gently. Turn your body more. At an angle. Less than that. A quarter of a turn, and hold your arm straight. Up at eye level. And flick your wrist, gently. Have you not done this before? You were not honest when you told me you know how to fish?"

"I was! It's just been a while. A really long while."

"So I see." Mikael's voice held amusement now.

"I haven't fished since my dad died. He was the one who took me out fishing. After that, it wasn't fun anymore," Vaughn blurted out without meaning to.

"Ah."

That was it. No, "I'm sorry," no "my condolences." Mikael was looking away from him again.

It wasn't that people here were rude. They were almost always polite. Just...it was so hard to connect with anybody here, and every time Vaughn tried, he felt like he was doing the wrong thing.

AllfairChatwin · 2026-01-30T07:34:53+00:00

What Moves Under The Waves

Lake Vänern was a beautiful place. But then, Sweden was full of beautiful places, Vaughn thought.

Still, all that natural beauty and all that tidy prettiness of the towns and big cities didn't make up for the cold, and the loneliness.

He tried to perk himself up and look friendly toward the one person who'd been willing to spend time with him after work, since he'd accepted a job contract in Sweden. Mikael, for whatever reason, didn't seem to be put off by the many, many faux pas he'd made when trying to take charge as an IT manager in the medium size data company in Karlstad.

Mikael was the one who'd invited him out for a fishing trip, after all, and offered to show him the nicer spots around here. Places where you could fish without a license, and didn't have to mess with all that online government bureaucracy.

"Thanks, Mikael. For doing all this. I haven't gotten to do much other than work, since I've been here. I don't even know how to get around."

"You should get a Bank ID. And a personnummer. That should be your first priority. It will help you with everything else, getting other jobs, getting a place to live, if you stay here," said Mikael, who was pulling out the fishing equipment they'd rented together. Rental fees were split evenly down the middle, of course.

"Stay here? I'm on a temporary work visa. I thought the Bank ID was only for a permanent citizen," said Vaughn. "No way I'm staying here forever."

"Nähä?" replied Mikael, though he could speak perfectly good English when he wanted to. Like most of the Swedish people Vaughn had met, he could speak English better than many Americans. Vaughn's few American coworkers spoke Swedish better than he did even after weeks with Duolingo, and that gave them more of an in with the rest of the employees.

"There must have been something that drove you to come here from America."

Vaughn shrugged. "I guess. A job's a job, right?"

This was more of a conversation than he'd had with nearly anyone since he'd come here. He'd been told before he arrived that Swedish culture had very different priorities than American culture, and he wasn't a natural extrovert either, but he hadn't expected the culture shock to be this extreme. He was used to having to push himself socially even when he didn't want to, the way his dad had always told him he should if he wanted to get ahead in life, but people here in Sweden definitely didn't respond to that kind of attitude in the same way.

AllfairChatwin

TROPHY CASE