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So, I was reorganizing my bookshelf last Tuesday—mostly because I was avoiding the massive pile of laundry staring at me from the corner of the room—and I found this battered paperback from 1975. The spine was cracked in three places, and it smelled like that specific mix of vanilla and old paper that only cheap trade paperbacks seem to acquire after a decade. It was a YA coming-out novel. I won’t name which one because, honestly, the writing hasn’t aged super well, but holding it brought this wave of nostalgia crashing over me. Not the fun, sparkly kind of nostalgia, but that heavy, tight-chested feeling of remembering exactly how scared I used to be.

It got me thinking about the state of Young Adult fiction right now.

There’s this chatter I hear sometimes, usually on Twitter or in the comments section of book reviews, where people complain that we have “too many” coming-out stories. The argument usually goes something like: We have marriage equality now! Gen Z is fluid! Why do we need another book about a nervous teenager telling their parents they’re gay? Can’t we just have gay wizards fighting dragons?

And look, I want gay wizards fighting dragons as much as the next nerd. Seriously, give me all the gay wizards. But the idea that coming-out stories are “over” or unnecessary? That makes me want to scream into a pillow.

The Mirror Effect

Here is the thing: growing up is terrifying. It’s messy and gross and confusing. When you add the layer of realizing you aren’t “default settings” straight, it gets lonely fast.

I remember reading my first real queer YA book. I was sitting on the floor of the local library, way back in the stacks where the motion-sensor lights would flicker off if you didn’t wave your arms every ten minutes. I felt seen. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that made my lungs expand a little better. Until that moment, I thought the weird knot of anxiety in my stomach was just a me-thing. Reading about a fictional character sweating through their shirt while trying to tell their best friend the truth? It validated my entire existence.

We can’t pretend that just because laws change, the internal freak-out of a fifteen-year-old changes too. That fear is primal. It’s the fear of losing love. As long as there are kids worrying that their parents or friends might reject them, we need these books. We need them to be mirrors.

It’s Not Just for the Queer Kids

Here is an opinion that might annoy some people: straight kids need these books just as much as queer kids do. Maybe more.

Empathy isn’t something you’re born with, like eye color. It’s a muscle. You have to work it out. When a straight, cisgender teenager picks up a book like Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or The Miseducation of Cameron Post, they aren’t looking for a mirror; they’re looking through a window. They get to spend three hundred pages inside someone else’s head, feeling that panic, that longing, and that eventual relief.

It makes it a lot harder to be a bully in the locker room when you’ve mentally lived through the terror of being the target. I really believe that. Fiction sneaks past our defenses. You might roll your eyes at a lecture about tolerance, but it’s hard not to cry when a character you love gets their heart stepped on.

The Happy Ending Revolution

Also, can we talk about how the endings have changed?

Back in the day—and I’m talking the dark ages of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s—if you found a queer book, someone was probably going to die. Or run away. or end up miserable and alone staring at a rainy window. It was bleak.

Now? We get rom-coms. We get awkward first dates at the movies where they share a bucket of overly salty popcorn. We get prom scenes.

This shift is huge. It tells readers that their story doesn’t have to be a tragedy. It tells them that happiness is actually an option. I think that’s why I still buy these books, even though I’m technically too old for the demographic. I’m buying them for the version of me that didn’t think a happy ending was possible. Every time I read a scene where the main character gets the guy/girl/person and the parents say, “We love you anyway,” it heals a tiny fracture in my own history.

It’s Okay if They’re Cheesy

I want to defend the “bad” ones, too. Not every book needs to be a Pulitzer winner. We let straight people have endless, repetitive, cheesy Hallmark movies and formulaic romance novels. Queer kids deserve their own trashy, melodramatic, poorly plotted paperbacks too.

They deserve the freedom to be mediocre.

So, yeah. Keep writing the coming-out stories. Write the painful ones, the funny ones, the ones where nothing happens but talking, and the ones where they fight space aliens after they come out.

Because somewhere, right now, there is a kid sitting in a library (or scrolling on an iPad), feeling like they are the only person on earth who feels the way they do. They need to know they aren’t the only alien on the planet. They need to know the story continues after they say the words.

Anyway, I’m going to go finish that laundry now. Or maybe I’ll just read another chapter. The socks can wait.

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David just wanted a distraction. Instead, his clay sculpture blinked, waved—and obeyed. Now he’s the accidental master of a mythical golem, and Brooklyn is about to need every ounce of its power. The Golem”s Guardian – grab your copy in my Web Store or from your favorite online retailer.

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.

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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/

The Great Vinyl Reversal

So, can we just pause for a second and talk about this wild world we live in? I swear, every time I think I have a handle on pop culture, it does a 180 and leaves me standing here scratching my head. You asked if vinyl records are really, truly making a comeback, and my honest-to-goodness reaction is: Wait, what? Like, I get that everything eventually comes back—hello, low-rise jeans, which I’m still internally screaming about—but records? That’s a format I personally sent off with a little tear and a “see you never” back in the day.

My Personal Media Journey (Vinyl to CD to Cloud)

I had this monster collection, you know? Probably five hundred or more albums stacked up in those flimsy particle-board shelves that always sagged in the middle. The whole ceremony of pulling out the record, dropping the needle, the little crackling sound as the music started—it was a whole thing. But then, the CD arrived. Suddenly, I had these sleek, shiny discs, and I could skip tracks without lifting my entire arm! No dust! No warping! I spent months converting my entire music life, tossing those big, space-sucking vinyls and replacing them with towering, narrow CD racks that I thought were the absolute epitome of organization. I even convinced myself the “perfect digital sound” was better. I had feelings of superiority, I’m not gonna lie, looking at people still messing with their bulky turntables.

And then, as is the way of the universe, CDs became obsolete, too. Next stop: streaming. Instant access to everything, always. My entire music library now lives in a cloud somewhere, existing purely as ones and zeroes. It’s fantastic for convenience, but you’re right, it feels a little… unreal. It’s like owning a postcard of the Mona Lisa instead of the actual painting.

The Streaming Anxiety is Real

I have definitely felt that little clutch of fear when I’m reminded that my 100-hour-long, perfectly curated playlist of obscure 90s indie tracks could vanish overnight because some licensing agreement went sideways. It happens all the time! We spend all this time building these little digital homes for our music, and they are basically built on quicksand. That’s a serious bummer. It’s a very real concern when you don’t actually own the stuff; it just lives on someone else’s server, like a digital houseguest who could be evicted at any moment.

The Return of Physical Media (Both Kinds!)

But now, the pendulum is swinging back! I was looking on Orville Peck’s site recently—you know I love a good fringed mask—and saw that his new album is being released on both vinyl and CD. A double-whammy of physical media nostalgia! I mean, I genuinely didn’t even know you could buy a new record player anymore, let alone that they are apparently being snapped up by a whole new generation who think the “retro-ness” is cool. I guess the whole ceremony of listening is back. It forces you to sit down, look at the giant cover art—which is a form of artwork in itself, let’s be real—and actually listen to the album as a complete piece of work, not just a bunch of songs shuffled around.

Why CDs Are Staging a Coup

And yes, people are buying CDs again! The cost of a new vinyl release can be seriously steep, and honestly, the sheer volume of old CDs floating around means they are ridiculously cheap to pick up secondhand. It’s physical, it’s permanent, and if you’re one of those people who believes the uncompressed sound is superior—and many audiophiles do feel that deep, resonant sound of the CD can’t be matched by streaming—then it’s a total win. Plus, you get those awesome booklets with the lyrics and the thank you notes. It’s a physical memory of the music you love, and I think that’s what we were missing in the age of all-digital, all-the-time. There’s something so satisfying about holding your favorite album in your hands. It connects you to the art in a way tapping a phone screen just doesn’t.

Full Circle and Ready to Spin

So, here we are: after ditching vinyl for CD, and CD for streaming, we are looping back to… owning things! The human desire for a tangible, holdable object, especially when it comes to art, is apparently hard-wired. It makes me feel a little less crazy for still buying actual paper books. I guess I need to start budgeting for a turntable and figuring out where I’m going to put the racks, because this full-circle moment in music history is actually kind of charming.