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as I watch my young cat sit in an old dog’s cage I remember when I was 12 but wanted to be 16 and how I wanted sandy-blond beachboy hair when mine was dry-dirt midwest brown I had a friend growing up such an agile, fearless swimmer but all he wanted was to be a bruised-up skater I think he’s getting divorced now works at a school for the blind and I’m pretty sure now all he wants is simply to be back in high school was when I couldn’t wait to get out because then I’d fit in

A lot of best-of lists are algorithmic, AI-influenced, or built for click-through commission. This one is entirely organic, from the top of the head of one gay man (me!) who earns absolutely nothing if you pick one of these wonderful titles up.

I propose a Bechdel-like test for LGBTQ media, focused on disrupting the prevailing sadness standard because let's face it: far too many of the gay stories that get told are sad, and we are so much more than others' tragic figures.

Writing a novel is hard work and heart work. Today I unpack this oft-unspoken question that lives rent-free in the heads of so many a writer, novelist, and aspiring novelist. I won't "bury the lede" here, friends. Here's the most important thing to know: You absolutely do not need any one special thing to be a good writer. The roads to writing (and novel writing) are direct, roundabout, long and winding, and short and straight (and gay). There is no set path, and most importa

It's about two men. It's written by a gay man. That second point matters. A lot. original artwork, designed by yours truly, to accompany an early version of my novel's manuscript Hi, friends and new friends. My name is Brian Steppenwolf, and I am a pretty ordinary everyman—that is, everyone and no one in particular, all at once. I live in Ohio, where I was born and raised. I have two cats. I work a normal job outside of this writing thing, so I do that. I read. I was brought