Weekly Roundup for Dec 12, 2025

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Boy yelling into a megaphone

This week’s roundup is short and sweet, because honestly? I’ve got one big piece of news and it’s kind of a big deal (at least around here).

Book Two in the Lucien Knight series is officially up for preorder. 

Yep—Lucien is back.

The second book will be available on Kindle Unlimited around January 5th or 6th, so if you’re a KU reader, you’ll be able to dive in as part of your subscription. And if you’re not on Kindle Unlimited, no worries at all—you can still grab a copy directly from Amazon like usual.

This one goes deeper into Lucien’s world, turns up the tension, and lets a few long-simmering threads start to snap into place. If you enjoyed the first book, this is where things really start to get interesting. The cover and a blurb for the book are below. If you’d like, you can preorder the book HERE If you haven’t yet read the first book in the series, you can do so HERE.

Spectral Symphony Blurb:

A melody that shouldn’t exist. A ghost who won’t stop playing. And a detective who knows some music can kill.

Lucien Knight didn’t come to New York to chase ghosts. Once branded London’s notorious Paranormal Detective, he crossed the Atlantic determined to leave the supernatural behind and make a clean living solving ordinary crimes. But when a terrified stranger delivers a scrap of impossible sheet music in the dead of night—and vanishes—Lucien’s fragile peace shatters.

Soon, the dead are making themselves heard. A deceased pianist plays endlessly from beyond the grave. A single violin note echoes where no musician stands. And the prestigious Carnegie Grand Opera House is plagued by “unusual happenings” it can no longer ignore—just as a celebrated maestro disappears without a trace.

The cryptic composition haunting Lucien’s desk is no ordinary score. Its notes twist into something dangerous, its symbols whispering of secrets buried deep within the world of classical music. As Lucien digs deeper, he uncovers a symphony of obsession, ambition, and murder—one that threatens not only his reputation and livelihood, but the man he loves.

Because some melodies linger long after death.
And some were never meant to be played.

Spectral Symphony is a dark, stylish paranormal noir where ghosts haunt opera houses, music becomes a weapon, and one reluctant detective must decide how far he’s willing to go when the dead refuse to stay silent.

That’s my big news for the week. No dramatic cliffhangers, no mysterious hints—just a solid, exciting milestone I’ve been itching to share.

As always, thank you for reading, supporting, and hanging out in my little noir corner of the internet. Now on to the roundup!

Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing

Entropy lurks everywhere—even your filing cabinet. This article outlines 5 crucial rules for writers, focusing on file management, backups, and organization to safeguard your life’s work (and your peace of mind). Read the essential tips: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/5-rules-to-keep-writers-sane-on-their-creative-journey/

Huge congrats to Invisible Boys for scoring TWO AACTA nominations—Best Miniseries & Best Editing! Such a powerful story deserves the shine. https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/invisible-boys-scores-impressive-double-accta-nominations/239936

Just read this fun take on how public libraries are quietly becoming the new Blockbuster—only without late fees. From DVD and Blu-ray revivals to nostalgia-driven “BerkBuster” rooms, folks are fleeing algorithm-driven streaming chaos and rediscovering the joy of browsing the stacks. A charming reminder that libraries still evolve, adapt, and surprise us.

Swap beaches for snow! Japan’s sweetest queer dating show The Boyfriend returns for Season 2 in snowy Hokkaido! Ten new guys, a wintry Green Room, and stories of love & growth. Romance, vulnerability, and slow-burn connections await. https://gayety.com/the-boyfriend-season-2

@KristenArnett is back with “Am I the Literary Asshole?” to tackle the pain of being excluded from the “popular kids’ table”—plus, advice on dealing with publishing scammers and the fear of writing a book too similar to a literary giant’s. https://lithub.com/my-friends-wont-let-me-into-their-writers-group-am-i-the-literary-asshole/

Even without explicit LGBTQ content, Bryan Fuller says Dust Bunny will hit queer audiences in the feels—childhood fear, isolation, and self-championing. It may not shout queer themes—but it speaks to anyone who felt scared as a kid and learned to be their own hero. https://gayety.com/bryan-fuller-dust-bunny-queer-audiences-director-interview

Who knew editing could feel like holiday decorating? Grab some scissors, hang some sparkle, and make your story shine. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/deck-the-draft-make-your-story-sparkle/

What if you could just talk your novel into existence? Dictation might be the cheat code. A freeing new way to draft—especially when the words won’t stay put. https://diymfa.com/writing/trying-out-a-new-technique-dictation/

Season 2 of Heated Rivalry is turning up the heat! 🔥 Expect more rivalries, more drama, more messy romance, more heat and even bigger emotions. https://gayety.com/heated-rivalry-season-2

Killer plot, great cover… terrible title. 😬 A title isn’t just a label—it’s your first sales pitch. Don’t let a bad name kill your sales. Learn what to avoid. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/naming-your-book-avoiding-title-mistakes-that-kill-sales/

From Kelly Clarkson’s journey to a new Hallmark reality show! Inspired by Kelly Clarkson’s “American Idol” journey, Jonathan Bennett is searching for the next Mr. Christmas. https://greginhollywood.com/kelly-clarkson-inspired-jonathan-bennetts-hallmark-christmas-movie-star-search-248730

Attention bookworms! Queerty teamed up with Allstora to launch The Queerty Book Club — monthly queer-focused picks, perks, and a new community to geek out with. https://www.queerty.com/can-we-have-your-attention-announcing-the-queerty-book-club-20251111/

If you’ve ever wondered what NOT to do on a date… this list has you covered. From awkward moves to outright bizarre, here’s a roundup of the weirdest things that led to an instant rejection. https://www.boredpanda.com/weird-things-girls-done-rejected-immediately/

Want to become a better reader? LitHub’s got 3 smart ways to upgrade your reading experience and fall deeper into books. Read smarter, slower, and with more heart. https://lithub.com/3-ways-to-become-a-better-reader/

These ex revenge stories are hilariously brutal… and a little too satisfying. They hit every chaotic note. https://www.boredpanda.com/brutal-exes-revenge-stories/

“Real knives = authentic theatre,” they said. A student actor was nearly fatally stabbed with a real knife on stage during Julius Caesar at Edinburgh Fringe. The show kept going—audience none the wiser. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/28/experience-stabbed-performing-julius-caesar-theatre-accident

Need a heart-melt break? A Finnish photographer captured the funniest, sweetest moments of baby wild animals in nature. Your timeline will thank you. https://www.boredpanda.com/baby-wild-animal-photography-soosseli-msn/

Are you guilty of Purple Prose?

An overwritten novel is a pacing killer! Janice Hardy breaks down how to identify “fancy writing” that screams “Hey look! I’m literary,” and shares a ruthless checklist for cutting unnecessary words, adjectives, and over-the-top imagery. Learn how to fix your flowery sentences: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/09/rose-by-any-other-name-is-still-too.html

Not just for writing—AI can boost creativity in other ways, from idea organization to habit tracking and creative play. 8 cool non-writing uses worth trying. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/11/8-cool-non-writing-ways-to-use-ai/

Weekly Roundup for Dec 12, 2025 Read Post »

Campy Queer Christmas Films

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I posted a list of LGBT Christmas films the other day and figured it would be fun to post a list of Campy Christmas films. How many of these have you seen?

  1. Single All the Way (2021)
    Netflix’s gay Christmas rom-com that knows exactly what it is — a holiday comfort flick with a wink.
    It’s packed with tropes (fake boyfriend! meddling family! small-town charm!) and yes, Jennifer Coolidge shows up in full fabulous form. Instant camp classic.
  2. Scrooge & Marley (2012)
    A queer retelling of A Christmas Carol — and honey, it’s gayer than a Christmas tree in sequins.
    Big performances, drag cameos, and a community-theater-meets-divine-inspiration energy. The kind of movie you watch with friends and cocktails.
  3. Make the Yuletide Gay (2009)
    Indie, low-budget, and intentionally cheesy in the best way.
    A closeted college student brings his boyfriend home for the holidays, chaos ensues, and the camp lives in its awkward sincerity. It’s basically the gay holiday rom-com that paved the way for all the others.
  4. Season of Love (2019)
    Often described as the lesbian Love Actually.
    Six queer women, tangled love stories, and a soundtrack that leans delightfully melodramatic. It’s glossy, sweet, and perfectly over-the-top — a queer-holiday sugar rush.
  5. Under the Christmas Tree (2021)
    Lifetime’s first lesbian holiday movie!
    It’s sugary, full of familiar tropes (rival tree-farmers! small-town magic!), and delightfully predictable — in that sparkly-Hallmark-but-make-it-gay way.
  6. A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
    If It’s a Wonderful Life got re-written by a queer angel with a flair for melodrama.
    It’s emotional, messy, and just the right amount of surreal — like someone sprinkled glitter on a Hallmark script and said, “Let’s go gay.”
  7. Merry & Gay (2021)
    A lesbian holiday musical, complete with small-town nostalgia, snappy dialogue, and a big queer heart.
    The singing alone qualifies it as camp; the sparkly costumes seal the deal.
  8. City of Trees (2019)
    More subtle than some others here, but still wears its indie-queer heart on its sleeve.
    It’s tender, a bit awkward, and somehow feels like watching a stage play — perfect for those who like their camp with a side of emotional realism.
  9. Christmas on the Square (2020)
    Okay, not explicitly queer, but Dolly Parton plays a literal angel in rhinestones, so we’re claiming it.
    It’s wall-to-wall glitter, gospel, and campy musical numbers. If you don’t smile at least once, check your pulse.
  10. The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (2021)
    Now this one is pure drag-camp gold.
    Produced by RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s like Mean Girls meets Hallmark meets a fever dream in stilettos. Peppermint, Ginger Minj, and Brooke Lynn Hytes deliver full holiday chaos.
A touch of Cedar ebook cover

A Touch of Cedar is gothic, romantic, and just a little bit heartbreaking. Because sometimes, the ghost isn’t the scariest part of the story.

Campy Queer Christmas Films Read Post »

The Quiet Surrender of Power (And Why We Need to Stop Doing It)

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Young man sitting in an alley, head bowed, despair

You know that old Alice Walker quote?  “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”  I swear, every time I hear it, it feels like she’s standing right next to me, giving me the side-eye while sipping tea and saying, “So… what are you gonna do about it?” Because honestly, that one line sums up so much of what’s happening right now in the U.S.—the creeping sense that regular folks can’t do much against the mess that’s unfolding. Spoiler: that’s exactly how the people in charge want it.

The Illusion of Powerlessness

Let’s be real—power doesn’t always look like marching bands and microphones. Most of the time, it’s quiet. It’s the voice inside that says, “My vote doesn’t matter,” or “They’ll just do what they want anyway.” And just like that, poof—power gone. Not because someone took it, but because we handed it over wrapped in apathy and tied with a bow of exhaustion.

And who could blame anyone for feeling tired? We’re bombarded with headlines that feel like a slow-motion train wreck. Book bans, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, journalists being harassed, politicians acting like democracy is optional—it’s easy to feel like the tide is too strong. But that’s the trick. Authoritarianism thrives on convincing people they’re too small to fight back. It feeds on our collective shrug.

The Gaslighting of a Nation

We’ve been gaslit into believing “this is just how things are.” You know that uneasy feeling when you start doubting what’s real? Like, wait, did that senator  actually  just say that out loud? And then half the country shrugs? Yeah. That’s the numbing fog of manipulation.

When the loudest voices say “don’t worry, everything’s fine,” even as laws chip away at freedoms, it’s tempting to sink into the couch and pretend not to notice. But that’s the moment Alice Walker’s quote starts glowing neon in my brain. Because realizing you  do  have power is the first crack in the facade.

Power Isn’t Always Loud

We tend to picture “power” as something external—like being on TV, or having a title, or yelling into a megaphone. But sometimes, power is just saying  no . No, I’m not going to normalize cruelty. No, I won’t pretend not to see what’s happening. No, I won’t let fear make me small.

Voting is one obvious tool, sure. But it’s also choosing where you spend your money, who you support, what stories you amplify, what conversations you start. It’s telling your local library board, “Hey, I like those books you’re trying to ban.” (Yes, that counts as power. Librarians are unsung superheroes in this mess.)

The Authoritarian Playbook

If you’ve ever watched a slow takeover unfold—whether in history books or live on your feed—it always starts with the same formula: convince people they’re powerless. Then, pick off rights one group at a time, while everyone else watches from the sidelines thinking, “Well, that doesn’t affect me.” Until it does.

That’s what makes Walker’s words feel especially urgent right now. We’re standing in this weird liminal space where everything still looks normal enough, but the cracks are spreading. And the people spreading them are counting on us being too distracted or discouraged to care.

Reclaiming What’s Ours

I’ve been thinking a lot about what reclaiming power looks like on a small scale. For me, it’s writing. It’s speaking up even when my voice shakes. It’s supporting journalists and artists and teachers who refuse to be silenced. It’s donating ten bucks to someone’s campaign who actually gives a damn. It’s talking to friends who are slipping into that “nothing matters” headspace and reminding them, gently, that it does.

It’s also joy, weirdly enough. Authoritarianism hates joy. It hates laughter and drag shows and art that questions things. It wants conformity and fear. So, every time we create, love loudly, or refuse to play along with hate, we’re pushing back. That’s power.

The Spark That Spreads

Here’s the thing about realizing you have power—it’s contagious. The moment you start acting like your actions matter, other people notice. And that ripple effect is how movements start. Not from grand gestures, but from a bunch of ordinary humans refusing to go numb.

It’s okay to feel small sometimes. We all do. But remember that those in power are terrified of you remembering your worth. Because once you do, the illusion falls apart.

So yeah, maybe we can’t fix everything overnight. But we can refuse to hand over our agency. We can write, vote, protest, love, create, question—and keep doing it, even when it feels pointless. Especially then.

Because as Alice Walker reminds us, power isn’t something they give you. It’s something you already have. You just have to stop pretending you don’t.

And whatever you do, don’t give them your silence.

Ghost Oracle Box Set image

My Ghost Oracle Box Set (Nick Michelson) is now available from your favorite online retailer.

Books 1-3: https://books2read.com/u/mBKOAv
Books 4-6 https://books2read.com/u/mVxr2l

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The Awkward, Beautiful Beginning of Every Creative Weirdo (Yes, Even You)

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Closeup of a young man painting on canvas on studio floor
Closeup of a young man painting on canvas on studio floor

You ever read something and feel like the universe just unlocked a little window and said, “psst…this is for you”? That’s how I felt the first time I tripped over Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “Every artist was first an amateur.”

Honestly, I kind of wish someone had handed that to me years ago—printed on a coffee mug, embroidered on a pillow, stapled to my forehead, whatever. It would’ve saved me from an Olympic-level amount of self-doubt.

I mean, think about it. Imagine the first novel Stephen King wrote that didn’t see the light of day. Picture Picasso staring at a sketch and going, “huh…this looks like a potato.” I guarantee even Freddie Mercury had a moment where he mumbled a lyric under his breath and hoped nobody heard him trying things out. Lowe-stakes beginnings are the secret origin story nobody talks about enough.

A Messy Start Is Basically a Rite of Passage

And oh boy, my early drafts? They were…something. Bless their little chaotic hearts. I remember sitting in a café once, typing as though I’d just learned what a plot might be but wasn’t entirely convinced. The sentences rambled, the characters wandered around like lost tourists, and the dialogue felt like two lamps arguing about electricity.

Did I feel ridiculous? Absolutely.
Did I keep going? Somehow, yes.

Because Emerson was right—even if I didn’t know it yet.

There’s something comforting about remembering that everyone starts in that same foggy place. The place where you’re doodling stick figures or writing dramatic vampire poetry or trying to sculpt clay and ending up with something that looks like a shriveled pear. We all earn our way forward one awkward attempt at a time.

The Myth of “Natural Talent” (aka The Thing That Made Me Freeze Up for Years)

I spent way too long thinking talent was some mystical inheritance. Like you either got sprinkled with glitter at birth—boom, you’re an artist!—or you didn’t. Spoiler: this mindset is nonsense, and I wish I could go back in time and bop myself on the nose for believing it.

Whenever someone looks at my current writing and says something like, “You’re lucky—you’re just naturally good at this,” I want to hand them a stack of my early journals. Or let them peek at one of the abandoned book drafts where the main character’s personality changed every three paragraphs. Or read the opening sentence that literally began with, “It was nighttime and also morning depending on how you thought about things.” (True story. I don’t even know what I meant.)

Artists grow. Artists fail. Artists try again.

The only difference between an amateur and someone further along is…time. And a pinch of stubbornness.

My Favorite Part of Being a Lifelong Amateur

Here’s the thing that Emerson doesn’t address directly—but it’s baked right into the quote if you squint a little: being an amateur is actually kind of adorable.

Like, imagine being new at something and not knowing the “rules” yet. There’s freedom in that. There’s joy in messing around before your brain starts telling you to be Serious and Proper. My favorite writing memories? They’re from the amateur days. The days when I didn’t know about genre conventions or pacing or any of that grown-up stuff. I was just vibing with a keyboard, a tea, and a half-formed idea.

Sometimes, when the pressure of “being good” creeps in, I try to reconnect with that early version of myself—the one who didn’t know what he was doing, but did it anyway because it felt good.

Maybe the real lesson is: stay an amateur, just…a more experienced one.

The Weird Beauty of Letting Yourself Be Bad

Nobody likes sucking at something, but wow—there’s such a relief in saying, “I’m going to be terrible at this for a bit.”

I mean, that’s how kids learn literally everything. They don’t sit there sobbing because their macaroni necklace doesn’t look professional. They just glue noodles to a string and present it like they’ve invented jewelry.

I try to channel that energy more.

If you’ve got something creative you’ve been dying to try—painting, songwriting, pottery, writing spicy fanfic about pirates—start embarrassingly small. Start amateur-level. Start with stick figures if you need to.

Your future self will look back and go, “aw, look at us, trying.”

And the best part? Trying becomes doing. Doing becomes improving. Improving becomes…not perfect, because perfect is boring…but something you feel quietly proud of.

Emerson Was Basically Saying “Relax”

At least, that’s how I read it.

It’s like he’s whispering from across history:
“Go on, make something. Everybody looks goofy at the beginning.”

And I love that.
I need that.
You probably do too.

So here’s my totally-not-wise-but-still-true advice:
Be the amateur.
Be messy.
Make the weird art.
Write the odd chapter that doesn’t go anywhere.
Sing off-key.
Scribble.
Play.

That’s how every artist you admire started. And it’s how every new one begins—including the one you become each morning you decide to try again.

Norian's Gamble book cover image

Prince Norian thought his biggest worry was living up to his father’s expectations—but that was before a dark sorcerer set his sights on Tregaron. When an attack leaves Norian marked by the curse of the wolf, he’s thrust into a destiny he never asked for. Can friendship and loyalty withstand the pull of forbidden magic? Or will Norian’s new nature tear his world apart? Norian’s Gamble is a tale of sorcery, betrayal, and a prince learning what it truly means to lead.

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Top 5 Paranormal Creatures I’d Love to Meet (and 5 I’d Absolutely Bolt From)

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Image of a Wendigo with horns and glowing orange eyes

Today’s post is a just for fun type of post where I just decide to be silly.

So, I don’t know what kind of moods other people wake up with, but I swear mine rotate between “I hope I meet a ghost today” and “if a shadow moves wrong I’m out the door.” So naturally, the idea of listing which paranormal creatures I’d happily say hello to—and which ones would send me sprinting—felt like the sort of thing my brain was built for.

So let’s stroll through the supernatural wish list I didn’t know I needed.

Five Creatures I’d Actually Want to Meet

1. Friendly Ghosts

Yes, I said friendly—I’m not talking about the sort that rattle your closet doors at 3:17 a.m. I mean the gentle ones who just want a chat, maybe a cup of tea if they can manage to hold the mug. I’ve always had this soft spot for spirits who hang around because they enjoy the place, not because they’re trapped in eternal doom.
Plus, think about the stories they could tell. I’d happily listen to someone from 1892 rant about how expensive bread used to be.

2. Selkies

Okay, look. I’m gay and selkies are canonically beautiful, sad-eyed shapeshifters with tragic backstories. I’m not made of stone. I can already picture myself standing on some rocky coastline, the wind smacking my face, while a selkie tells me about the ocean like it’s an ex they’re still weirdly in love with.
I’d be hooked immediately. Probably writing poetry about it by the next morning. It’s who I am.

3. Kitsune

Fox spirits with a mischievous streak? Yes, please. I feel like we’d get along. I’m a sucker for clever conversation, and kitsune always give off this vibe like they know ninety-seven secrets and they’re only willing to share one—if you ask really nicely.
I also like the idea of them popping in just to keep life interesting. “Oh hi, your keys? Hmm. Maybe they’re behind the couch. Maybe they’re inside a dream. Who’s to say?”

4. Brownies (the household kind, not the chocolate kind—although I’d meet those too)

There’s something cozy about the idea of a little house helper who cleans at night and rearranges your spoons for fun. I wouldn’t mind a resident brownie as long as it didn’t judge the number of mugs I leave in the sink.
I imagine them side-eying me every time I forget to dust, but honestly? Valid.

5. Benevolent Forest Spirits

Think gentle energy, moss-covered stones, mushrooms that glow for no reason. I’ve always been drawn to wooded places, and meeting one of those leafy guardians would probably feel like being hugged by the entire forest.
Plus, they’d probably smell like cedar and rain. Sign me up.

Five Creatures I’d Run From Without Looking Back

1. Skinwalkers

Nope. Absolutely not. I’ve heard enough stories to know these are a hard pass. Anything that can mimic people or animals is an automatic “turn around and pretend you saw nothing” situation.
I’m a curious guy, but I’m not that curious.

2. Wendigos

The hunger, the winter woods, the bone-chilling shrieks? Yeah…no. I get cold enough just stepping outside in November.
If I ever heard one of these things in the distance, I’d be gone so fast my shoes would still be on the porch.

3. Black-Eyed Children

I don’t care if they’re just looking for directions or want to borrow a phone charger—those kids aren’t coming inside. Every story about them sends a cold prickle right up my arms.
If a child knocks at my door at night with eyes like a void? I’m locking everything and pretending I’m asleep.

4. Banshees

Nothing personal, but the scream alone would send me into the next dimension.
And yes, I know they’re more harbingers than attackers, but that doesn’t matter. If someone shrieks near me with that kind of force, I’m heading straight to therapy.

5. Shadow People

These show up when you’re groggy, vulnerable, and half-asleep. That’s rude. I’d appreciate a creature that respects personal space and does not hover near the bed like it wants to ask if you’ve accepted darkness into your life.
I’ve had enough sleep paralysis moments to know they are not invited.

Final Thoughts From Someone Who’d Probably Still Go Into the Haunted House Anyway

I’ve realized something while writing this: I’m equal parts brave and foolish. I’d happily chat with a centuries-old selkie, but the second a shadow moves in a way I don’t like, I’m yelping like a startled cat.

Still, the supernatural has this way of making the world feel bigger than the daily grind. It whispers that there’s more out there—more mystery, more beauty, more strangeness, more stories.

And honestly? That’s the fun of it. Letting your imagination wander into places where ghosts pour tea and forest spirits hum in the trees.

Ghost Oracle Box Set image

My Ghost Oracle Box Set (Nick Michaelson) is now available from your favorite online retailer.

Books 1-3: https://books2read.com/u/mBKOAv
Books 4-6: https://books2read.com/u/mVxr2l

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Gay & Queer Christmas Films Worth Watching

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Man decorating his Christmas tree while his cat watches.

Here’s a mix of sweet, funny, swoony, campy, and occasionally chaotic LGBTQ+ Christmas films to get you through December with cocoa in hand.

1. Single All the Way (2021)

Netflix rom-com.
Michael Urie + Philemon Chambers + Luke Macfarlane.
Best-friends-to-lovers, small-town Christmas, meddling family… honestly adorable.

2. The Christmas Setup (2020)

Lifetime’s first gay Christmas romance.
Real-life husbands Ben Lewis and Blake Lee star.
Cute, earnest, and cozy.

3. Dashing in December (2020)

A ranch-set holiday romance with legitimate chemistry between the leads.
Handsome cowboys + snow + romance = yes.

4. Happiest Season (2020)

Okay, not “gay male,” but definitely a queer Christmas movie.
Kristen Stewart + Mackenzie Davis.
Family drama, coming out, holiday chaos. Aubrey Plaza steals the whole thing.

5. A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)

A queer twist on the alternate-timeline “What if?” holiday story.
Dramatic, sentimental, very angel-heavy.

6. Merry & Gay (2021)

A lesbian holiday musical romance — yes, literally.
It’s very Hallmark-channel-but-queer and kind of delightful.

7. A Jenkins Family Christmas (2021)

Not about a gay romance, but features a gay couple with a warm, positive storyline.

8. Season of Love (2019)

Often called “the lesbian Love Actually.”
Interwoven WLW romances with big holiday energy.

9. City of Trees (2019)

Soft, indie, queer holiday drama.
Not strictly a “Christmas rom-com,” but set around the holidays and emotional in a good way.

10. Make the Yuletide Gay (2009)

A classic in the gay Christmas canon.
Closeted college student brings his boyfriend home for the holidays. Very early-2000s gay indie vibes. Plenty of laughs.

11. The Christmas House (2020)

Hallmark’s first film featuring a gay couple in the main cast.
Their storyline is sweet and heartfelt, though not the A-plot.

12. A Very Queer Holiday (short, 2020)

Cute holiday short film with a fun, wholesome LGBTQ cast.

Dark family secrets. An uncle who knows too much. A boy who can’t ignore what he sees. Nick’s Awakening is the start of a paranormal journey where every answer comes with a new haunting.

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Weekly Roundup for Dec 6, 2025

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Weekly Roundup 2.

So this past week has basically felt like me juggling flaming bowling pins while trying to remember where I left my coffee. I’ve been holed up at my desk tinkering with the second book in my detective noir series, and you know how it goes—one moment I’m convinced Lucien has everything under control, and the next I’m rewriting an entire scene because I swear he gave me side-eye from inside the manuscript. But the good news is: it’s almost there. If the universe doesn’t throw any curveballs, the preorder should be up in the next week or so. Every time I think about that, I get this weird fluttery feeling in my chest, like that moment before a jazz band counts in and you know the whole room’s about to lean in.

Outside of that, I’ve been doing those end-of-year tasks I always swear I’ll start earlier—sorting receipts, throwing away the pile of mystery cords, pretending I understand my own spreadsheet scribbles. It’s the kind of stuff that makes me sigh dramatically at my own reflection, but it feels good once it’s out of the way. Like clearing the last sticky note off your desk and realizing you can actually see the wood grain.

And because I apparently like a challenge, I put together an outrageously ambitious writing schedule for 2026. It’s one of those color-coded, possibly over-optimistic plans that looks very impressive taped to the wall. I keep glancing at it and thinking, Alright, buddy. Let’s see if we can pull this off. I’m going to try my damndest to stick to it, even if future-me rolls his eyes and mutters into his coffee mug.

Anyway, that’s my little update from the writing cave. If you need me, I’ll probably be fussing with commas or convincing myself to tackle another tax-adjacent chore.

Oh, and while I have your attention – have you checked out my latest book “Murder at the Savoy” yet? If you haven’t gotten your hands on a copy, you can snag one HERE. It’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited but also available in Hardcover and Paperback. I’m still pretty pleased about how that one turned out.

Cover image for Murder at the Savoy

Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing

Balancing creativity with the business side of being an author isn’t easy. Loved this chat with Joe Solari on The Creative Penn — lots of helpful mindset shifts. https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/01/13/balancing-creativity-with-building-a-business-and-author-nation-with-joe-solari/

Just read Draft2Digital’s “The Indie Advantage Issue #2” — a great breakdown of how print-on-demand (POD) works vs. ebooks. Handy for indie authors thinking print. https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/the-indie-advantage-issue-2/

Heard about Pillion? Skarsgård + Melling getting real about gay icons, kink, and that moment their characters clicked. Definitely worth a read if you like bold queer cinema https://greginhollywood.com/pillion-stars-alexander-skarsgard-harry-melling-talk-gay-icons-and-the-moment-they-c-clicked-248635

Sweden just gave Oz a new queer echo: Andreas Wijk voices the Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good — and yep, he’s as gorgeous as iconic. https://www.queerty.com/meet-the-swedish-sweetheart-who-lends-his-voice-to-wicked-for-good-is-keeping-oz-queer-20251125/

Want characters with real emotional guts? This post on limiting beliefs + characterization gives solid ideas to add depth and stakes to your characters’ inner lives. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2024/11/using-limiting-beliefs-to-go-deeper-with-characterization/

Holidays don’t have to fit one narrow mold. History shows even Thanksgiving/Christmas once rocked costumes, cross-dressing and gender play. Maybe our traditions have always been queerer than we think. https://www.transadvocate.com/the-traditional-holiday-was-queer_n_121434.htm

If you’ve ever wondered how to go from messy draft → page-turner, this Kristen Tate interview has handy takeaways on structure, voice and pacing that could change your next draft. Go give it a listen. https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/01/06/writing-tips-craft-structure-and-voice-with-kristen-tate/

Hockey + queer romance? Yes please — Heated Rivalry proves you can love hard, skate harder, and find real connection off the ice. This is the queer sports story we’ve been waiting for.
https://xtramagazine.com/culture/heated-rivalry-gay-hockey-romance-278287

Just checked out Miles Heizer’s first podcast interview with Tommy DiDario — he gets real about playing Cameron Cope in BOOTS, being a gay actor in Hollywood, and what this story means. https://greginhollywood.com/boots-star-miles-heizer-sits-for-his-first-ever-podcast-interview-and-its-with-tommy-didario-248594

Feeling that end-of-year writing burnout? Janice Hardy’s post “5 Ways to Fight Your End-of-Year Writer’s Fatigue” has some simple, real-world tips to recharge your creative batteries. Worth a read. http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/12/5-ways-to-fight-your-end-of-year.html

Want to nail your prologue so it doesn’t feel like a preamble but a hook? Check out this guide on how to write a prologue. https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-prologue/#WritingTips

Seeing Robbie Simpson on Finding Mr. Christmas felt like a quiet win for queer folks everywhere — proof that holiday-love stories don’t need to erase who we are. https://gayety.com/video/robbie-simpson-finding-mister-christmas

Reading about these kids out-smarting parents made me think: plot twist — one of these “clever kids” ends up a genius hacker-villain in a novel. Reality, meet fiction fuel.
https://www.boredpanda.com/criminal-mastermind-hacker-kids-outsmarting-parents/

There’s nothing quite like building a personal library that swallows whole rooms — this LitHub essay nails why bibliomania isn’t shameful, it’s devotion. https://lithub.com/nothing-better-than-a-whole-lot-of-books-in-praise-of-bibliomania/

People describing their jobs as “ambulances are horror-movie kidnappers” or “I silently judge 18-year-olds for 5 hrs a day.” This Bored Panda thread is a gold mine of weird, hilarious self-summaries. https://www.boredpanda.com/poorly-explain-job/

As a writer balancing side gigs, social-security, backlists and daydreams — this “writerly thanks” post hits hard. Cheers to the critique partners, readers, and late-night ideas that keep us going. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/11/wits-bloggers-share-writerly-thanks/

As someone juggling novels, audiobooks, blogs, bills and dreams — “My Pace” reminds me: it’s okay to walk slow when the world insists on sprinting. https://kottke.org/25/11/my-pace

Sometimes vandalism doesn’t mean destruction — it means clever jokes in chalk, googly eyes on signs, or cheeky street-art that makes you smirk. Check out these “mild vandalism” gems. https://www.boredpanda.com/mildly-vandalized-msn/

Pets caught red-pawed stealing snacks again. Check out this Bored Panda roundup of furry food thieves. https://www.boredpanda.com/cats-dogs-stealing-food/

Weekly Roundup for Dec 6, 2025 Read Post »

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