Is It October Seventeenth Yet?
When GRL kicked off in October 2011 I was still learning my way around MM Romancelandia. I’d been reading gay romance almost exclusively for a few years already, and Six Degrees of Lust was under contract, but it wasn’t until April 2011 that I joined Goodreads. That’s when I really became a part of a specific genre reading community, and it was great. I was able to talk to others about the books I enjoyed for the first time, and I didn’t feel like such an oddball anymore. Needless to say, I was beyond excited when I found out there was an actual conference I could attend.
New Orleans is an amazing city. I’d visited it several times in the past, and always thought there’s something mysterious about it. Mythical… magical… That sense multiplied tenfold by the enthusiasm shared by the Gay Rom Lit attendees. Now, I know I’ll sound redundant but what the heck, I’ll say it anyway. The vibe was like magic in the air.
We all believed love comes in different shapes and forms. We all supported the right of our brothers, cousins, friends, and strangers to be out and proud with the man they love. And we all absolutely adored reading stories that convey hope.
At the time of GRL 2011 I only had one short story published. Heatstroke was inspired by a picture and a prompt, and what do you know, readers loved it. But promoting my work was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to hang out and have fun. I wanted to spend time with the friends I’d met online and meet more. And that’s exactly what I did.
GRL 2012 was slightly different. By that time I had a few published titles and decided to register as an author. But even though my badge identified me as such, and I participated in and/or hosted a couple of events my main goal remained the same: have fun and hang out with my friends.
This will be my third year attending Gay Rom Lit. It’s become a tradition. October is the time of the year when I get to see my author colleagues, my rocks and partners in crime, and all the readers I’m lucky enough to count as friends. I don’t believe GRL will ever be a promotional event for me. Yes, I’ll bring books and swag, but the one thing I’m really looking forward to is seeing you all.
I’ve come a long way in the past two years. I’ve published more titles and grown as an author, but Heatstroke will always have a special place in my heart. It wasn’t the first story I sold, but it was my first published work, and I can’t tell you how much your support and praise words for it meant to me.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
About Taylor: Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of m/m romantic suspense. She is optimistically cynical about the world; lover of history, museums and all things 80s. She is crazy about fashion, passionate about civil rights and equality for all and shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television.
When she is not making a living in the busiest city in the world or telling the stories of gorgeous men hot for one another, Taylor can be found raising her two daughters and her fur baby in the mountains she calls home.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it this year :( But definitely count me in, I love your work! And have a blast at GRL!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you so much! Hopefully I’ll see you next year. :-)
I know exactly what you mean about GRL I’ll be back again this year and look forward to meeting you – it’s all about the people, the writers and readers. I made some wonderful friends last year and can’t wait to see them again. LE(dot)franks(dot)books@gamil(dot)com
Awesome! Looking forward to saying hello in person!
This GRL will be my first and I am really looking forward to it. You are on my list of people I just HAVE to meet!
Awwww, thank you! Make sure to say hello whenever you see me around. :-) You’re going to have a blast at GRL.
I won’t be at GRL, though I wish I could be. Thanks for the chance to win.
You’re quite welcome, Antonia. :-)
(So happy to see a longer version of this story–it’s brilliant and one of my favorites!) Sadly, I’ve never made it to GRL, but it would be so fun to be in a whole huge place full of people who belong to the manlove-adoring tribe!
Hope you enjoy the longer version of Heatstroke, Trix. And yes, there’s a great vibe at GRL. Maybe some day?
Would love to win!! No GRL. Poop. LOL ;)
Meh. That sucks. ;-)
Really looking forward to hanging with you at GRL. Absolutely loved loved loved heatstroke and looking forward to re reading it with the new editions!
We’re going to have a blast, girl!
Please count me in. Thanks.
You’re counted. :-)
I wish I could attend, However, that’s not possible this year, but please count me in, Thanks,
Please count me in. I won’t be there though.
Just re-read the instructions! – MM Romanclandia – not something I would ever have thought I enjoyed reading, but I’m hooked. I just really enjoy the stories, so different from F/M romance. There may be a weaker person in the pair, but it has nothing to do with gender and so much to do with difficult lives. In some ways I think it’s more realistic.
I love MM Romanclandia. You get such great stories that don’t rely on gender to give you the tension between the pair.
Wish I could go to GRL but unfortunately living across the pond in UK and being downright poor means it will never happen :(
I can’t get enough of all those men and their emotions. I’m just a sucker for them.
Sounds like you know just how to do GRL up right!
Forgot to say that I won’t be at GRL, but I wish I was!
Hi, everyone, I’m baaa-aaack to announce another winning reader! The lucky reader who will be getting Heatstroke is…
Renee!
Congratulations, Renee! I’ve already emailed Taylor with your contact information, so expect to hear from her soon. :)
But wait, there’s more! I almost forgot to select the GRL attending winner!
Congratulations kirifox01! You’re going to need to track down Ms. Taylor to collect your copy of Heatstroke in Atlanta!
I look forward to seeing you there! :)
Congratulations to the winners, and than you all for participating!