Jeff Erno: Introduction and Giveaway

In fairy tales and classic romances, the damsel in distress is always saved by a dashing hero who rescues her and sweeps her away to live happily ever after. From Cinderella to Pretty Woman, we see the same story told over and over again. Those of us who appreciate romance never tire of the predictable, though unrealistic, outcome.

When I was young, I imagined myself as the damsel, and I fantasized about meeting my Prince Charming. Although I loved to read, there were few books that depicted same-sex romances. A story of a boy falling in love with another boy was a rare find.

Young adult literature is more popular today than ever before, and its appeal is not limited to teenagers. Readers of all ages appreciate young adult stories of all genres, and LGBTQ fiction is no exception. This is a new era, and today's generation of young readers have options I never enjoyed.

In spite of the fact that YA literature is featured prominently in bookstores and on websites, there are not many resources available for readers who are looking exclusively for LGBT titles. The few sites in existence today are static sites which grow quickly outdated.

A couple months ago, I began talking with other YA authors about the possibility of launching a website that would feature only LGBT young adult titles. This initial vision evolved into a project in which we compiled over 400 titles. Dozens of authors and several publishers are represented in our list, and it is still growing.

At this stage, we're ready to launch the site. My co-creators in this endeavor are Madison Parker and Jackie Nacht, both YA authors. I'm so proud of the work they've done in putting together this amazing site. Although I had the original vision, most of what you see on these pages was created by these two brilliant volunteers.

Our hopes for this site include providing an ever-evolving resource for LGBT YA literature where new releases are featured prominently and where authors can reach out to their readers through interviews, giveaways, and biographies. We have dedicated a section of our web space to focus specifically upon the issue of anti-gay bullying, a topic of which I'm very passionate.

I'd like to offer readers a chance to win a couple of my titles. In honor of our launch, I'm offering two titles. Last month, Harmony Ink Press re-released my anthology of fictional stories about bullied teens titled Bullied. This same publisher is releasing my new book You Belong With Me in February. I'd like to offer one copy of each title (the new release may not be available until around the first of February but the winner will be provided with an advanced copy as soon as it is ready). Please leave a comment and your email address below to enter the drawing. Winners will be announced January 8th!

Thanks so much for visiting the site, and I hope you enjoy what you see!

Jeff's Website: http://jefferno.com

Bullied
Every day, all over the country, teenagers struggle with the realities of bullying. Tormented, ridiculed, and beaten—simply for being who they are—these teens face alienation, humiliation, and even the explicit assertion that they have somehow brought this upon themselves, that they should just blend in. Bullied is a series of short stories exploring the world of these teens from several different viewpoints: the victim, the bully, the gay bystander, the straight friend, the concerned parent. Closeted Bryan wonders why Christian Michaelson doesn't just try to blend in if he hates being bullied so much. Star athlete David isn't a homophobe—after all, he's not afraid of anything. Jonathan, a Christian fundamentalist, must weigh the Bible against peer pressure and what he knows is right when he discovers his childhood friend is gay. Bully victim Chase Devereaux finds an unexpected ally in a brave fellow student. A single mom struggles to accept the reality that her only son is gay. Two tough gay teens are forced to confront their own inner demons when tragedy befalls a classmate they failed to help. And overweight Kirby finds the strength of character to make a friend, which leads to a lifestyle change and a chance at love. Each character grows as an individual as he or she comes to terms with what it means to be a gay teenager in America.

You Belong With Me
Wesley Harris is sixteen and openly gay, at least to his family and friends. Often bullied at school, he's shy and reserved. Wesley has a penchant for designing T-shirts, and he's a gifted artist. When Brad Johnson, one of the school's most admired jocks, moves in next door, the two boys begin to develop a friendship. It begins when they see each other through their bedroom windows and start exchanging notes. Brad has a notebook upon which he writes messages that he holds up for Wesley to read. Wesley returns the gesture. This unique manner of communication leads them into a genuine friendship in which Brad confides in Wesley the issues with which he's struggling. His parents are divorcing, his girlfriend is cheating on him, and his father is critical of everything he does. Most significantly, Brad confesses to Wesley that he thinks he might be bisexual.